After launching their 2021 season challenger, the MCL35M, McLaren’s two drivers in Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo took to the track at Silverstone on Tuesday to test out the wheels that will hopefully land them points this season.
The MCL35M is the first McLaren to have a Mercedes engine since their previous partnership ended in 2014.
Speaking after his first run in the new model, Lando Norris said it’s just nice to be back in a Formula One car.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Norris said; “First of all it’s just nice to be back in a race car.
“Back in a Formula 1 car – and a McLaren – but it’s nice to sit in the bit of machinery that everyone’s been working hard to put together so big hats off and big thanks to everyone in the team.
“It was nice. Difficult conditions to get an initial feeling, but still just lovely to be back in a race car, pushing it to the limit, a few little oversteers and understeers here and there, and that’s what I like.
“This is day one of me trying to make my own improvements and starting off the season on the right foot and trying to be as prepared as possible.
“This is more when I can have a bigger impact and start giving my feedback and we can make this car as quick as possible.
“It’s still early days and things to go through, and many more laps we still need to do, but there’s already comments I have from my own comfort side of things, but also with the driveability and the car itself.
“Not too many comments yet, no complaints, but it’s still early days.”
Norris and Ricciardo will return to the track for pre-season testing in Bahrain on March 12.
