In a recent exclusive interview with Dutch publication RacingNews365.com, McLaren driver Lando Norris shared his perspective on the notion that Formula 1 cars are designed around a specific driver. Norris firmly rejected the idea and stressed that it’s the driver’s responsibility to adapt to the car they are given.
The discussion arose following comments by Toto Wolff, the head of Mercedes, suggesting that Max Verstappen’s dominant performance was a result of Red Bull designing their RB19 car around him. Verstappen, as well as Red Bull’s team principal Christian Horner and Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, denied this claim.
Norris explained, “It’s not down to the team to just make a car designed for a person. It’s our job to deliver no matter what the car is.”
The McLaren driver pointed out that F1 teams prioritize creating a car that data indicates will be the fastest. It is then the driver’s responsibility to extract as much performance as possible from the vehicle.
“I think what people fail to understand sometimes from the outside is that a driver’s job is to drive whatever car they are given as quickly as possible. Whether it’s a car they like or don’t like, it’s tricky or safe, it’s our job to go and just drive what the team gives us,” Norris emphasized.
He also expressed his preference for a fast but challenging car over a comfortable but slower one, emphasizing that speed is the top priority for drivers. “I care what car I drive because I would love a nice car to drive. But I would pick every day a quicker car over an easy car. Because I think that’s our job,” Norris concluded.
