McLaren is aware of possible future issues but confidence is growing after a strong start to winter testing, says Lando Norris.
On Tuesday, the British team was second once again to Ferrari and the only other outfit lapping in the 1m18’s thanks to a number of late runs using the softer C4 Pirelli tyres.
However, unlike previous years, that performance was also backed up with reliability as Norris managed 104 laps in Barcelona, taking McLaren’s total to 223 for the first two days.
“We know what the problems might be on the car that could come up,” the F2 runner-up in 2018 commented in the paddock.
“So it’s just making sure we figure them out before Australia, and none of them pops up knowing that we could have fixed it at some point over these couple of weeks.
“It’s good confidence from myself and from the team knowing that there’s not a lot to keep chasing up on and keep checking after every run.
“I think for the team side as well, and it’s good for them knowing they’re going to be confident getting through every run plan possible through every day.”
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For Norris, while he heads into his first season with more laps than most rookies in an F1 car, thanks to various practice outings last year, he admits it is also still a learning experience.
“I managed to do some longer runs, something I haven’t managed to do so much of in any other tests so far,” he revealed.
“So for myself, it’s good to know that we can get through pretty much a whole day with no big problems.
“But it’s only day two. I’m sure we’re going to run into a couple of problems at some point, but it’s just making sure I guess that we can get through this whole test.”