After a season where Daniel Ricciardo took a long time to get to grips with the quirks of the McLaren car, teammate Lando Norris has a warning for what lies ahead.
Next year’s car is no picnic either.
Formula One rules have been completely overhauled for the 2022 season, as the sport’s governing body tries to cut costs and make it easier for cars to race each other.
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The current generation of cars struggle to follow another car through a corner, with the resulting loss of downforce making it tricky to pass.
It’s hoped that the new rules will solve that problem.
Speaking to motorsport.com, Norris says his simulator experience of the 2022 car has been an eye opener.
“It’s a very different car to drive. In a way not as nice as this season,” he said.
“But I think hopefully that’s the same case with every other team as well. And we’ll see, there’s no point trying to think it’s amazing or terrible.
“You just have to do the best job you can and hopefully, next season, we go to the pre-season test with a good car.”
McLaren are yet to build a 2022 car, instead leaving construction until the last minute as they figure out what works and what doesn’t.
F1 launched a show car at this year’s British Grand Prix, which is the only time we’ve seen an example of what next year’s cars may look like.
“The only car we’ve seen is the one at Silverstone,” said Norris. “The car we have in the factory, it’s not even a car. It’s a drawing and some paper.
“I don’t think we will see it for many more months, maybe not until next year in a way. We’ve seen some of the drawings and the designs for next season, but every week, it’s something new and something different, because there’s so many different things with the car.
“But every week it’s very easy to make changes and make it quicker and quicker.”
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