Norris starting to assert authority on McLaren after first-day shakedown

Lando Norris has revealed he has started to stamp his authority on McLaren after becoming the first driver to get behind the wheel of the team's car for this year.

The MCL35M took to Silverstone for a filming day, allowing the drivers in Norris and new team-mate Daniel Ricciardo to clock up a few kilometres.

Norris hailed his first laps as the moment he began to play a more considerable role in the development route compared to his previous two years with the team.

“This is day one," Norris told Sky Sports F1. "Day one probably started many months ago.

"But this is day one of me trying to make my own improvements already and starting off this season on the right foot and trying to be as prepared as possible. Today is where that starts.

“A lot of that started before, like I said, but it’s more when I can have a bigger impact. I can start giving my feedback and we can make this car as quick as possible."

Although just 40 days remain until the lights go out to signal the start of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on March 28, Norris recognises there is plenty of work to be completed before then.

“It’s still early days," continued the Briton. "There are many things to go through, many more laps we still need to do but there are already comments I have from my own comfort side of things but also with the drivability and the car itself.

“Not too many comments yet, no complaints, but it’s still early days.

“It’s just nice to be back in a race car, back in a Formula 1 car more than anything and a McLaren, to sit in the bit of machinery that everyone has been working very hard to put together.

“Wet, difficult conditions to get an initial feeling but still just lovely to be back in a race car, pushing it to the limit. I had a few little oversteers and understeers here and there and that is what I like.”

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