Norris: "The energy of the fans is fabulous, but it's not e…
Norris: "The energy of the fans is fabulous, but it's not enough"
The McLaren driver cuts it short after free practice at Silverstone: the fans' push counts, but victory requires more. Analysis of the technical gap and the challenges of the British track.
Lando Norris had some sincere words after free practice for the British GP at Silverstone. "The energy of the fans is fabulous, but it's not enough to win", cut the McLaren driver short, underlining how the support of the public cannot replace the technical work on the track. Norris explained that McLaren still has to adapt to the new features of the track, where every detail counts.
"We need to understand the car better on this track. Silverstone has always been difficult for us, but we are working hard to close the gap," he added, without hiding the difficulties. The Briton also highlighted how McLaren is experimenting with aerodynamic solutions to improve cornering stability, a critical point on a track that rewards mechanical precision.
At Silverstone, in fact, stability when braking and exiting corners is essential to maintain the pace without compromising the tyres, an aspect in which McLaren lags behind compared to the top teams. 279 seconds behind Max Verstappen's time. Red Bull once again showed superior top speed, but the real problem for McLaren is tire management.
The rear tires, in particular, lose temperature too quickly in the initial stages of the race, forcing the team to adopt conservative strategies that limit overtaking opportunities. This phenomenon is not new: the British track, with its fast corners and sudden accelerations, subjects the tires to continuous stress, making the ability to keep them in the optimal temperature window crucial. The Woking team admitted that the Silverstone track requires a different approach to other races.
“We are analyzing every data to understand where we can make gains. It's not just a question of power, but of aerodynamic adaptation and tire management,” said a McLaren spokesperson. The team is testing a new aerodynamic package for Sunday, but Norris warned that results could only come after further post-race testing sessions.
The package includes changes to the underbody and rear wing, designed to improve downforce without increasing drag, a difficult balance to find on a track like Silverstone. 892 seconds off the best time. The gap is not just chronometric: the RB19 has demonstrated a tire management ability that McLaren is still unable to match.
This means that, even with the support of the fans, Norris will have to rely on other people's mistakes or a stroke of luck to get on the podium. The difference in tire management translates into greater strategic freedom for Red Bull, which can afford to push to the limit without worrying about excessive degradation. What changes now?
Norris and the team will have to work on concrete solutions for qualifying and the race. The Briton made it clear that the fans' trust is an added value, but victory will depend on the ability to transform enthusiasm into tangible results. McLaren, historically in trouble at Silverstone, will have to demonstrate that it can compete on equal terms with the top teams in a key event on the calendar.
The British track, with its fast corners and speed variations, is a testing ground for any car: here, the precision of the setup and the reactivity of the chassis make the difference between success and failure. Technical director James Key added that the British track is a testing ground for the season. "Silverstone doesn't forgive mistakes.
Every setup or strategy mistake comes at a high price. We have to be impeccable," he said. This underlines how much the home race for McLaren has become not only a sporting but also an engineering challenge.
The team has to face a double pressure: that of the results on the track and that of the expectations of the British fans, who experience every race as a test for the competitiveness of their national team. The comparison with Red Bull is not limited to pure speed. The RB19 has demonstrated an ability to adapt to variable track conditions that McLaren struggles to replicate.
While Red Bull manages to keep the tires in the ideal window even in cold or damp track conditions, McLaren struggles, forcing Norris to manage the tires more conservatively. This technical gap is also reflected in qualifying performance, where the precision of the setup and the ability to extract the most from the aerodynamic package are decisive. McLaren sporting director Andrea Stella added that the team is working on multiple fronts to close the gap.
“We are analyzing the data from FP1 and FP2 to identify any possible room for improvement. It's not just a question of lap time, but of consistency over the long term,” he explained. McLaren knows that Silverstone is a season-defining event: a good performance here could provide momentum for the rest of the championship, while a disappointing result risks compromising the confidence of the team and fans. Read at Sky Sport Italia
Why this matters
Norris acknowledges the role of fans, but his statement highlights an uncomfortable truth: emotional support doesn't win races. McLaren, historically in difficulty at Silverstone, must demonstrate that it can compete on equal terms with the top teams. The technical gap with Red Bull, particularly in tire management and aerodynamics, risks relegating McLaren to secondary roles, despite the enthusiasm of the British public. The British track, with its fast corners and speed variations, is a testing ground for any car: here, the precision of the setup and the reactivity of the chassis make the difference between success and failure. For McLaren, Silverstone is not just a race, but a crucial test of the season's competitiveness.
Frequently asked
Why did Norris say that the energy of the fans is not enough?
Because victory in Formula 1 depends on technical factors, such as car setup and tire management, which go beyond public support. Norris admitted that, while he appreciates the enthusiasm, McLaren needs to work on concrete solutions to compete.
What was Norris' result in free practice for the British GP?
Norris finished Friday in thirteenth place, 1.279 seconds behind Max Verstappen's time. A result that confirms McLaren's difficulties on a track like Silverstone, historically difficult for the team.
What kind of difficulties is McLaren facing at Silverstone?
The track requires a specific aerodynamic setup and tire management. McLaren struggles to find the right balance between top speed and grip, especially in the fast corners and accelerations typical of the British track. Rear tire management is the main Achilles heel.
What did the McLaren team say about the difficulties on the track?
The team admitted that they had to analyze every data to understand where to make money. According to a spokesperson, the Silverstone track requires a different approach, not only in terms of power, but also aerodynamic adaptation and tire management.
How does Red Bull position itself compared to McLaren at Silverstone?
Red Bull showed a clear superiority, with Verstappen 0.892 seconds off the fastest time in FP2. The RB19 has more effective tire management, a factor that could decide the race on Sunday.
What are McLaren's prospects for the race?
The team is testing a new aerodynamic package for Sunday, but Norris warned that results could only come after further post-race testing sessions. Victory will depend on other people's mistakes or a stroke of luck.
