Lando Norris issues McLaren instruction after 'bizarre' claims

Lando Norris has implored McLaren to be "more precise" and not make mistakes whilst reiterating his stance on some of the "bizarre" claims made about the team by its F1 rivals.

The British driver has fought against the prevailing narrative that the Woking-based squad has the best machinery on the grid for much of the current season.

Although he does now admit the MCL39 is the best package in F1, he continues to argue the performance advantage it enjoys is less pronounced than advertised.

When asked ahead of the Miami Grand Prix what has changed at the constructors' champions since he claimed his first victory 12 months ago, the 25-year-old explained much has stayed the same and merely progressed as one would expect.

"I think for the majority it’s been a natural evolution," Norris replied to media including RacingNews365.

"The team has still improved a lot, even since last year, in terms of how we work – the car has improved, the obvious things have improved – but the way the team performs has improved quite a good amount and that has to continue."

He did not miss the opportunity, however, to bring the conversation onto the claims made by the likes of George Russell, who has repeatedly talked up the pace gap from the McLaren to the rest of the front-running teams.

"That’s the main thing – when you get to the top, there’s no time to relax," Norris added. "And that’s all because of the scrutiny of other people talking and claiming things and coming up with bizarre stuff at times. So it’s more about dealing with the scrutiny."

Norris' call to arms

With the five-time grand prix winner looking set for a season-long title fight with Oscar Piastri, and Red Bull's Max Verstappen, he wants to see McLaren continue to improve.

"The team has to be even more precise with things, not make mistakes or do any silly little things," Norris stated before praising the personnel behind him and his team-mate.

"For the majority, it’s the same guys and girls all doing their job and trying to get the most out of the car.

"It’s more the external stuff that changes, but that’s out of your control. They’re doing a very good job of dealing with that and carrying on with what they’ve got."