According to experts, McLaren may face difficulties once the FIA tightens its inspection of movable parts during the Spanish Grand Prix. The British racing team has been suspected multiple times this year of using flexi-wings – wings that bend under aerodynamic pressure. McLaren might have to sacrifice competitiveness if these parts have to be made less flexible. However, Lando Norris predicts few problems.
During a press conference leading up to the Miami Grand Prix, Norris was asked about the announced FIA regulations. From the race weekend in Barcelona, there will be stricter control on bendable wings. Parts will only be allowed to have a ten millimeter tolerance under aerodynamic pressure from that moment on. There are experts who expect that McLaren could run into problems as a result. Images of the team’s flexi-wings had already gone viral on social media.
‘We will be strong all year’
“It’s fun to read and hear what the opponents say – all those suspicions,” Norris responded with a smile. “I am confident that almost nothing will change for us. We will just continue with what we do. We will be strong all year,” he warned his competitors. Looking ahead to the Miami Grand Prix, Norris is not yet convinced that he will triumph again. A year ago, the Miami Autodrome was the scene of his first victory in Formula 1.
“It’s a nice memory, but it won’t help me this year,” said Norris. “I have achieved the dream I had as a child, and I will never forget the emotions I felt at that moment.” The 25-year-old Brit struggled with his qualifying speed during the past Grands Prix. In Bahrain, he was unable to set a competitive lap in Q3, and in Jeddah, he went off the track during the final phase of qualifying. “It’s certainly not a lack of talent or speed on my part,” he assured. “In Q1 and Q2 we are often ahead, but in Q3 we sometimes fail to align everything. I’m working on it,” he concluded.
