Norris Says McLaren Upgrades Show Promise Ahead of Brazilian Grand Prix

Lando Norris told the media on Friday that the new aerodynamic package McLaren introduced this weekend "seemed to gain performance" during the first practice session at the São Paulo Grand Prix. The British driver, who qualified third on the grid, said the team’s upgrades – primarily a revised front wing and a reprofiled side‑pod inlet – were delivering the expected grip on the notoriously bumpy Interlagos circuit.

McLaren’s technical director James Key has been tight‑lipped about the exact specifications of the parts, but the team confirmed that they brought a new front‑wing end‑plate design and a revised diffuser geometry to the Brazilian weekend. According to Formula1.com, the changes were aimed at improving airflow to the rear of the car, a weakness that has plagued the team throughout the season. Norris added that the car felt more stable through the high‑speed sweep of the Senna curve, allowing him to push harder in the latter part of the session.

The performance gain was reflected in the timing sheets – Norris posted a best lap of 1:09.874, just 0.12 seconds off the session leader, while teammate Oscar Piastri was also within the top ten. Both drivers highlighted that the car’s balance felt more consistent compared to earlier practice sessions in the season, where McLaren struggled with front‑end grip on bumpy tracks.

For Indian fans, the Brazilian race will be broadcast live on FanCode with a start time of 02:30 IST on Sunday. The practice sessions, qualifying and the race will all be streamed on the platform, with pre‑race analysis and post‑race wrap‑up featuring local commentators. Norris’ upbeat remarks add another storyline for Indian viewers, who have followed McLaren’s resurgence this year and will be keen to see if the upgrades translate into a podium finish.

While the upgrades appear promising, Norris cautioned that the real test will come in the race, where tyre degradation and the unpredictable weather at Interlagos could still play a decisive role. "We’ll see how it holds over a race distance," he said, echoing the team’s measured optimism.

Source: Formula1.com