Just 24 hours after seeing victory slip away at Madring, the reigning world champion was already back behind the wheel, but this time in a machine very different from his F1 car.
Read more Alpine F1 turns to quantum computing to optimize its hybrid simulations
Lando Norris wasted no time moving on from his painful Spanish Grand Prix where only a Virtual Safety Car intervention deprived him of a well-deserved victory.
The Briton traveled to Portugal on Monday to participate in a full day of testing behind the wheel of the McLaren MCL-HY, the Hypercar that will mark the British manufacturer’s return to the World Endurance Championship in 2027.
Le Mans in sight?
At the Portimão circuit, Norris completed 38 laps and covered about 285 kilometers. McLaren used this session to evaluate several development elements and gather impressions from a driver accustomed to the demands of modern F1. The timing of this test was particularly good for Norris. His Spanish Grand Prix had ended in great frustration after an ill-timed virtual safety car probably cost him the victory.
But rather than dwell on this disappointment, the McLaren driver was immediately able to focus on a brand new challenge. Norris was accompanied at Portimão by Mikkel Jensen and Laurens Vanthoor, two of the drivers who will represent McLaren in the WEC in 2027.
They continued the car’s development program while allowing the Briton to get accustomed to a very different environment from Formula 1 in anticipation of a future participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Read more Why Verstappen finally chose to stay at Red Bull: Jos reveals what influenced the decision
“First of all, a big thank you to the McLaren Hypercar Team for letting me drive the MCL-HY,” Norris said after his test. “It was great of them to give me the chance to have a bit of fun and try something new, especially as they are in full preparation for next year.”
A different environment
“I think we also gathered valuable data and I hope I was able to provide different feelings, feedback, and perspectives on some things, which is useful for the team during this crucial testing period,” he said. “Personally, it was really nice to work with this team and it was also exciting to try a new car.”
“It had been years since I had done a proper test in anything other than an F1 car, so having the chance to test something different while staying within the McLaren family was very special,” he said happily. “It was a fun day in a fast car on a nice circuit, while helping the team prepare for its WEC debut next year. A big thank you to everyone involved, I look forward to getting back behind the wheel of this car in the future.”
This day at Portimão was Norris’s first real test behind the wheel of the MCL-HY. He had already briefly seen the car during its public presentation at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.
In any case, this test at Portimão offered Norris a welcome change of scenery following his Madrid disappointment. After several years almost exclusively dedicated to Formula 1, the world champion thus took a new step towards McLaren’s future Endurance program.
Read more Audi threatens Tsunoda’s point at Monza: Racing Bulls prepares its defense