Norris on McLaren performance: "Things can always change"

Soon-to-be McLaren rookie Lando Norris is confident that the team will perform better in coming seasons, as the 19-year-old thinks the Woking-based team has a "much better understanding" of their problems now.

Norris finished second in the Formula 2 championship this season, as he overtook Toro Rosso-bound Alexander Albon in the final race weekend at Abu Dhabi to claim second place in the standings.

Asked whether the senior team of McLaren will improve compared to the disappointing last few seasons, the Brit remained realistic.

“No one knows," the teenager told Racer.

"I guess they have decent ideas of things that they’re working on, bits they’re trying to improve. All those little things which they’ve had a lot of data to say it’s better, but things can always change."

Norris has been around the team for more than a year now, testing in the F1 cars for several years now despite his young age. Now that he's finally gotten the promotion, he's confident the team will solve the clear problems that it has surrounding the car.

“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.

"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.”

Norris hasn't been able to drive in next year's McLaren yet as he's mainly been focussing on the FP1's he's had to do at the end of this season. However, with the likes of Nyck de Vries and Fernando Alonso testing the MCL34 for 2019, he's sure it will turn out alright.

"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.

“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."