2019 McLaren driver Lando Norris believes the British team is showing greater focus to ensure a repeat of this past season does not occur.
Following a relatively good start, the Woking-based outfit slipped down as the development of the MCL33 proved very difficult and ultimately resulted in the team battling with Williams towards the back of the grid.
CEO Zak Brown has looked to reassure claiming the flaws in this year’s car had already been discovered but it was too late to address yet Norris was cautious with his outlook.
“I guess they have decent ideas of things that they’re working on, bits they’re trying to improve,” the F2 runner-up admitted.
“All those little things which they’ve had a lot of data to say it’s better, but things can always change.”
The Briton, who has been associated with McLaren since the start of 2017, does have more faith in the process, however.
“I think they are focusing on making 100 per cent sure they know things are going to be for the good — not kind of like this year and maybe not end up so good,” he claimed.
“I think they’re focusing more on making sure something is 100 per cent better rather than just going: ‘it looks like it’s going to be better’ and maybe putting it on, something like that. I think they have a much better understanding, but time will tell.”
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Given his current focus on getting ready for his debut in 2019, Lando also concedes he isn’t fully upto date with the latest work going on.
“I think they’ve done a lot more than I have lately because I’ve been doing FP1s and so on for the development for next year,” Norris said, referring to work in the simulator.
“I think a lot more is going to happen over the winter. Of course, a lot of the work’s already been done. I haven’t tested the car for next year yet.
“I’ve obviously tested little bits, and things throughout the season — of course, there’s always development for this year’s car.”