Lando Norris said he was pleased with a productive Friday in Melbourne after the McLaren F1 Team driver finished in the top ten in both free practice sessions.
Norris ended seventh fastest in the opening session and eighth fastest in the second, although both sessions were full of drama, with the red flag coming out twice in the first session and rain falling in the second. The British driver was pleased with his progress in both sessions despite having an interrupted first sessions, which saw the team run some aero tests.
“I think it’s been a decent day. I struggled a little bit with my overall feeling in FP1 but it was still productive. We used the whole of FP1 to do some more aero testing for the future, so, I never got the best read initially.
Norris continued on to speak about his second practice session, where he was once again pleased with the progress. He is hoping that McLaren can score their first points of the season after two difficult rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
“FP2 felt like it was really my first proper session, and I got a little more comfortable. So, it was a good day. We got through all of our tests, got through what we wanted to do, got a good reading on the car and can make some changes for tomorrow – and I got a bit of wet testing in as well. So, a productive day, and we’ll try to go better tomorrow.”
Oscar Piastri – “It was great to be out on track here in Melbourne”
Oscar Piastri was happy with McLaren’s progress on the first day in Melbourne as he prepares for his first home grand prix in Formula 1.
The Australian driver had a good first two sessions, finishing twelfth and fourteenth and he hopes he can continue that momentum into qualifying on Saturday as he looks to make his second consecutive Q3 session after achieving it for the first time in Saudi Arabia.
“It was great to be out on track here in Melbourne and see all the fans. It was nice to have a bit of wet weather in FP2 as it was the first time running on the Intermediate tyres for me, so it was some really useful learning.
Piastri hopes McLaren can fight for points tomorrow as he hopes to earn his first Formula 1 points in front of his home crowd.
“I think the first day was good and we’re in a decent place for tomorrow. There’s still prep to do overnight into tomorrow but I’m adjusting to the track and getting used to it. All-in-all a pretty solid day.”
