McLaren has assured that it wants to ensure Lando Norris has as much time as possible during the third free practice of the Spanish GP after a difficult Friday (11) for the Briton.
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The current F1 champion could not participate in the second practice session in Madrid due to a gearbox problem. On a debut track like this one in Spain, losing time can affect the future sessions of the weekend.
So, reflecting on McLaren’s day in Madrid, the technical director of performance engineering, Mark Temple, explained that the priority now is to ensure the driver has the maximum track time in FP3.
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“Today presented a significant challenge, especially due to the gearbox problem that cost Lando considerable track time in FP2. It is a major setback on a new and technically demanding circuit like this one, where every lap is crucial for data collection. Conditions are tough for everyone, with high temperatures and low grip; therefore, losing that track time certainly puts us at a disadvantage for Saturday,” he explained.
“Our focus tonight is to analyze the data thoroughly to identify where we can extract more performance. The car is not yet exactly where we would like it to be, but we have some clear ideas to explore, both regarding the chassis and driving. We will work intensively on analyzing a wider range of possible changes than usual, to ensure we can offer both drivers a more competitive package for qualifying. Maximizing Lando’s track time in FP3 will be our absolute priority to help him recover lost time,” he concluded.
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