Former F1 team principal offers McLaren crucial advice over Lando Norris concerns

Former F1 team principal Otmar Szafnauer has issued advice to McLaren to help Lando Norris amid his early season struggles.

Norris won the opening round of the campaign in Australia but has struggled to get comfortable behind the wheel of the MCL39 challenger.

Team-mate Oscar Piastri has enjoyed a stronger opening phase to the season, winning four of the opening six grands prix.

Norris has often been critical of himself in the past and has been unafraid to be honest over mistakes he makes on the track.

When asked on the latest episode of the RacingNews365 podcast what McLaren must do to steer him in the right direction, Szafnauer said: “Support. Just absolute support.

“Reassure him that if you make those silly mistakes, it’s not a big deal. Look to the next one.

“Just support him and reassure him that he's got the capability to do it, which he does.

“If he gets external reassurance, that will give him the confidence. Sometimes you make those mistakes because you overdrive - sometimes.

“I’m not saying that's what he's doing. I'm just saying it can happen.

“[Tell him] ‘Just drive to within your limits, your limits are fast enough. Don’t make those mistakes, and you'll be the winner’.”

'Lando Norris approach similar to Ayrton Senna's'

Norris' self-criticism has been defended by McLaren, with the 25-year-old describing it is a style of approach that suits his character.

It is a great contrast to Piastri, who has displayed a laid back attitude to the challenges he has faced in his short F1 career to do.

“If you have that steely determination and you're unflappable or you have less emotion, I think that, in a few sports, is very valuable,” Szafnauer said.

“Motor racing is one of them. Golf being another, maybe tennis being another. There are a few sports, and they're mainly the sports where you don't have to rely on team-mates so much.”

However, Szafnauer outlined Norris' honest approach is not a disadvantage as he pointed to three-time champion Ayrton Senna, who had a similar attitude.

“On the other hand, there have been a lot of drivers who are world champions that do wear their heart on their sleeve, so it can be done. 

“Ayrton Senna was a bit more emotional, and he is probably my all-time favourite driver of F1 cars

“Others weren’t [so open], so it can be done by either type of personality, if that's the right word.

“Oscar has got a lead right now but if you have one failure, one off or one DNF, that lead is gone. So let's see what happens in the future.”

The full interview with Otmar Szafnauer will be released on Monday, May 12 on YouTube and all of your podcast players!