Norris: It worked even better than we expected

Lando Norris posted a sixth-fastest time during practice in Miami before admitting Friday’s results were even better than McLaren had expected.

Lando Norris (6th): “I think the day went well. We had a good plan, we tried to stick to it, we did a lot of laps, so I’m happy. We learned a lot about working with soft and medium rubber compounds while Oscar, my partner, was working on hard tyres.

I think today everything turned out even a little bit better than we expected; the novelties we presented in Baku also proved to be effective and usable here. However, it is only Friday and we are moving forward one step at a time, so as not to get ahead of ourselves.

As for the new asphalt, initially the grip was at a rather low level, but the condition of the road surface is improving. It is already much better than in the morning – the results are improved by a few seconds. Driving has become much easier, but it is imperative that work on the track continues. There is only one problem – it is worth deviating from the trajectory, and you will most likely fly off the track into the fenders. That’s why we won’t have it easy during the race on Sunday.

However, we probably won’t be able to overtake anyway as our car still lacks speed on the straights, creating additional problems and making life difficult for us.”

Oscar Pistri (16th): “The day was more or less normal, given that this is a new circuit for me. Although we have to work on it after the second training to at least add something to it. Let’s see what we can do, but let’s hope we go faster tomorrow.

During the first session, the track was incredibly slippery because the asphalt is new and the surface was very hot, so it was difficult to pilot. In addition, it is quite slippery outside the track, and if you miss the apex, it is extremely difficult to keep the car on the track.

The work was a bit different from the normal situation, but gradually the grip improved and the track cooled down a bit, although there were enough difficulties in general. I lost mainly in the first sector, but the rest of the circle, it seems, I managed to pass without any problems. In the second fast lap I was ahead of my schedule, but I made a little mistake, so there is speed, but you have to try to get everything done. However, I am satisfied with the way we worked today.

In qualifying we will try to get to the final, but the results are so close that we could be anywhere – we could get into the third session or we couldn’t get out of the first. But tomorrow everything will be clear.”