Norris feels he was 'at my best' during 2023 F1 season

Lando Norris has stated that he was driving in the best form of his career during this year's Formula 1 season.

McLaren started the campaign down the pecking order as it missed development targets with the MCL60 challenger.

However, successful development throughout the season saw it rise up the grid with Norris scoring his first podium of the year at his home race from Silverstone.

It was the first of seven podiums that Norris scored this year with rookie team-mate Oscar Piastri tallying two.

The McLaren car appeared at times to be the second fastest car behind the dominant Red Bull RB19, but it was unable to clinch a win during the campaign.

Speaking to media including RacingNews365.com after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Norris labelled his year as one of his best.

“I think any time we've been close to getting a victory the last six or seven races, I’ve had six P2s [this year] and all have them [have been] behind Max, no other driver,” he said.

“So anytime out of those times something might have gone wrong, we were in the perfect position.

“Brazil was one of my best races. I mean, it may not look like it just from there was not a lot going on but in terms of the gap to everyone else and just one car ahead, I think was a pretty good race.

“So I think I've definitely been at my best in terms of performance, maybe not the beginning of the year.”

Norris forced to adapt

Norris highlighted that he was forced to adapt his driving style to suit the complex nature of the McLaren car.

“I worked quite a bit on trying to adapt to this car, because it's not an easy car,” he said.

“And so there's things every weekend that I struggle with, but I spent the first part of the season maybe not in the right space.

“How I want to drive quickly is the opposite of how this car wants to be driven.

“And still my natural thing of going out and driving qualifying as best as I want is not how the car needs to be driven.

“So I still have to change a little bit how I have to drive the car. And that's still been happening this year.”