Lando Norris seeks solace as he reveals his biggest challenge ahead of the Hungarian GP

McLaren driver Lando Norris highlighted a seating position issue and called on his team to improve the comfort of his MCL38 to help him perform better. The British driver also touched on the significant challenge posed by the heat, with 70 laps of racing in temperatures of around 35 degrees Celsius testing his stamina and focus.

Norris topped the charts in FP2 and FP3, putting in some excellent runs in what looks to be the fastest car on the Formula 1 grid at the moment. His team-mate Oscar Piastri wasn’t far behind in FP3, finishing 0.044 seconds off the benchmark time of 1:16.098.

However, the British driver complained that he was uncomfortable in his car, and said he might be able to deliver more if it was bearable. He told the media on Friday night:

“It was definitely a good first day, but we still have some work to do if we want to feel comfortable.

“I feel we have the speed in the car, but we also need to be able to deliver it when needed.

“You can have a fast car that is easy to drive – that’s an ideal world – but more often than not you have a fast car that is just a little bit too ambitious and just a little bit more difficult.

“It’s about playing with the balance of where you want to sit, and that depends on the driver’s preference, but (Friday) felt good, but I would definitely like a bit more comfort so I can do a bit more than just one lap a day.”

Furthermore, Norris identified the heat as the biggest challenge, noting that it can be mentally draining for drivers. He stressed the importance of staying well hydrated, as this is crucial to maintaining optimum performance. He added:

“Sunday will be a challenge for all of us.

“Staying hydrated and drinking enough is important, but it is part of it.

“It’s mentally exhausting and mentally tough, but it doesn’t really feel physical here. And for some reason it doesn’t this weekend.

“It’s just more sweating, losing energy and not making mistakes. That’s going to be the biggest challenge.”