Norris hints at repeat of Canada thriller

Lando Norris has predicted a close battle will ensue at the Spanish Grand Prix following a compact opening day of free practice.

Norris headed the pack after the first session before Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton topped the timesheets at the end of FP2.

Both McLaren and Mercedes enjoyed a strong round last time out in Canada as they both reached the podium, finishing narrowly behind race winner Max Verstappen.

Norris envisions another hotly contested grand prix weekend in Spain, with championship leader Verstappen ending FP2 in fifth place.

“I think [it was] a pretty good day,” Norris told Sky F1. “It's never easy in these hot conditions, it never feels amazing.

“The tyres overheat very quickly so it's difficult to get everything in the perfect window.

“But I think all in all, it was a good start to the weekend. I felt pretty comfortable with the car from the beginning. 

“It's close, and it's going to be about trying to improve these small things [on Saturday] because I'm sure it's going to be close again like it was in Canada.”

Norris wants improvements 'in every area'

Norris' gap to Hamilton at the end of FP2 was just 0.033s, with Ferrari's Carlos Sainz slotting in between the pair.

As he goes in search of his second career win, Norris detailed McLaren will devote Friday evening to finding gains with the MCL60.

“[We're] just trying to improve a little bit in every area,” he stated. 

“Maybe some will be a little bit easier than others but it's for tonight.

“That’s what we'll talk about now and discuss it and see what we can improve.”