Norris: McLaren now 'more capable' of winning races than in last five years

Lando Norris believes McLaren is "more capable" of winning races than it has been in the last five years in Formula 1.

The team suffered a win drought between the 2012 and 2021, with Daniel Ricciardo taking their first win in nearly 10 years most recently at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix.

It came close to challenging Red Bull for victories in 2023, notably at the Japanese and Brazilian Grands Prix when Norris managed to get close to Max Verstappen on race pace.

Norris exits the 2023 season having equalled Nick Heidfield's record of most podiums without a race win (15), but the Briton believes the team is in the best place to challenge for victories next year.

"I expect some bigger changes than we've had over the last year. I feel like we've been in a place now more than ever where we can tackle more things at once," Norris told media, including RacingNews365.

"If you're still last you try to focus more on one thing, which is just making the car a little bit quicker."

Norris: We can focus more on the finer details

McLaren recently put its new state of the art wind tunnel into action at their Technology Center in Woking.

Since 2010 the team was using the Toyota wind tunnel facility in Cologne, owing to the fact that its existing facility was not fit for purpose as the cars grew in size.

This facility was upgraded as part of the renovations, and is now being used to design their 2024 challenger. Norris feels the team is now in a better position to focus on "finer details" as they look to continue their current form into next season.

"We're in a much better position that we can focus on some of the finer details, but details which we've not really been able to improve much at all over the last five years," said Norris.

"Things that I would love to have more of as a driver, and I think suit me more as a driver, so trying to work on those things. Now we're more capable than everyone trying to focus on them and improve them.

"That will help with qualifying, help with race pace, and small things can make a big difference. If we can work on that, then I'm confident we can have a very good car next year."