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McLaren Struggles in Baku as Norris Sees Significant Speed Gap
During the first day of practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Lando Norris expressed concern that McLaren was far behind the competition. Norris noted that their performance was not meeting expectations thus far.
10/20/2026, 5:15:34 AM
Lando Norris has expressed frustration with McLaren's performance during the initial practice sessions for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Following the first day on the street circuit in Baku, Norris stated that the team was miles off the pace set by their competitors.
McLaren has been facing challenges throughout the season, and this latest practice session highlighted ongoing issues with speed and handling. Norris remarked that he hoped the team could identify solutions quickly to improve their performance ahead of the qualifying rounds.
Despite the disappointing showing, Norris remains hopeful that setup adjustments and fine-tuning could help the team close the gap to the front-runners. The Baku track, known for its unique characteristics and potential for dramatic racing, requires a carefully balanced car to succeed.
The team's performance in Baku will be closely monitored as they look to make significant improvements ahead of the race weekend. Norris's statements reflect the urgency felt within McLaren as they strive to enhance their competitiveness during the championship.