McLaren’s Lando Norris was second fastest in second practice for Formula One’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on Friday and almost as quick in playing down his team’s prospects.
« We looked quick today but it’s fairly obvious what’s going to happen tomorrow. It’s going to be kind of the usual front four cars ahead of us, » the Briton told Sky Sports television.
« Behind there it seems very close, even if today we were a little bit ahead… we’ll go in tomorrow and be a little bit more where we should be. »
Former champions McLaren finished third overall last season, their highest position since 2012 which is also when they last won a race.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was fastest in both sessions while Mercedes’ seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton ended the evening third on the timesheets.
McLaren have switched to Mercedes engines from Renault and Norris has been joined by experienced Australian Daniel Ricciardo.
« I feel good in the car and the car does feel good, » said Norris. « In some areas also it doesn’t feel that good and we need to improve. »
Ricciardo said he was « still getting there » after the switch from Renault.
« I still want to find a few things in the car and obviously within myself, » he said. « Hopefully I’ll find another step tomorrow to get more where I want to be. »
McLaren boss Zak Brown said it was not realistic to think his team could ‘gate-crash’ the looming battle between Mercedes and Red Bull this season.
« We hope to close the gap but I think it would be unrealistic to think that we would get in the mix on a regular basis, » he said. « But we’re on our way and hopefully we’ll be able to join that fight in the not-too-distant future. »
https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/31142399/norris-plays-mclaren-early-pace-p2-practice
