Constructors’ champion McLaren also took to the track for the first time on Wednesday during the closed shakedown in Barcelona. The papaya crew skipped the first two days and will therefore be on the Spanish tarmac for the rest of the week. Reigning world champion Lando Norris took charge on Wednesday; the 26-year-old Brit logged his first miles in a black McLaren MCL40 and running car number 1.
Just 52 days after he claimed his first world title, Lando Norris was back at the circuit on Wednesday. On Wednesday he logged his first miles in the McLaren MCL40 during the closed shakedown in Barcelona. The team delayed the new car’s debut as long as possible and skipped the first two test days in Spain. The final livery of the car remains under wraps. Norris and team-mate Oscar Piastri will run a black test livery this week.
The dark livery does carry the customary papaya detailing. Norris’s new race number is also displayed on the nose and flanks of the car. As reigning world champion the Brit is entitled to carry number 1, an honour that for the past three years had been held by Max Verstappen. Sources in Barcelona report Norris went out relatively late in the morning; only two hours after the track was opened did he head out. After his first lap he returned straight to the pit lane, then went on to complete dozens more laps.
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