Lando Norris returned to the track, but not in a Formula 1 car. The reigning world champion drove McLaren's MCL-HY Hypercar at Algarve last week. Despite completing only 38 laps, the experience gave him new insights he believes can aid his F1 performance.
Norris was impressed by the depth of setup options relative to F1. He noted that the Hypercar offers more freedom, especially in electronics. "The level of detail is crazy," he told Autosport. "They have more scope to change things than we're allowed in F1. It's like old-school F1, where it was more of a free-for-all."
Although the car is heavier and has less downforce, Norris insisted it still feels quick. "It's a very different car, but it's still exciting," he added. For reference, Hypercar lap times at Spa this year were around 2m00.653s, while F1's 2026 benchmark was 1m44.361s. This contrast gave Norris a fresh perspective.
During the test, Norris was joined by McLaren's 2027 drivers, Mikkel Jensen and Laurens Vanthoor. Their presence allowed Norris to learn from different driving styles. "I always try to learn from other drivers, understand their styles, and see what I can take onboard to drive better in F1," he explained.
Norris emphasised that his main focus remains F1. Although the 2027 Le Mans 24 Hours doesn't clash with F1, he hasn't considered entering. "I won't sacrifice F1 for anything else. My focus is entirely on F1," he stated. However, he didn't rule out future opportunities.
This test is also an early step for McLaren towards their 2027 WEC debut. Feedback from a driver of Norris's calibre is invaluable for car development. McLaren hopes to compete in the Hypercar class, and Norris's involvement shows synergy between their F1 and WEC programmes.
For Norris, this experience was not just for fun. He believes that any opportunity to drive different racing cars enriches his skills. "Everything I do is always to learn, including when I drive other cars. It helps me stay focused and become better at my main job, which is F1," he concluded.
Baca Juga
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