Norris engine 'finished' after Saudi Arabian GP switch
Norris engine 'finished' after Saudi Arabian GP switch
Lando Norris has conceded his Bahrain power unit is "finished" after fitting new parts for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The McLaren driver endured a difficult season-opening weekend as he was forced to pit six times with a pneumatic problem before the team pulled him into the garage to retire in the closing stages.
During FP1 in Saudi Arabia, an FIA document confirmed Norris' MCL60 had been fitted with a new internal combustion engine, turbocharger, MGU-H, MGU-K and exhaust system.
Asked if these changes were merely a precaution, Norris conceded: "No. I took a whole new engine because the other one is finished already."
As the changes made by McLaren are within the prescribed limits for the season, Norris has not been handed a grid penalty for the weekend.
This is in contrast to Charles Leclerc, who has seen a third control electronics unit fitted to his Ferrari. As this exceeds the restriction of two units for the year, the Monegasque is subject to a 10-place grid drop.
READ MORE: Ferrari make 'precautionary' power unit change as Leclerc penalty confirmed
McLaren drop as Alpine and Williams find pace
Norris was the slowest driver in the first practice session but, in the more representative FP2, he climbed to 12th.
Conceding he hadn't managed to get a lap in during the opening session, Norris said: "It's close.
"I think me to last place was split between two-tenths, so if I made a little mistake I was in last place.
"It's just very close, the midfield. Alpine are up the road on the whole midfield pack, so they've done more to their front. And even Williams seem a lot quicker than us too.
"It feels alright, to be honest, the car. I'm struggling a bit with overall balance but we're just doing the best with what we've got."
READ MORE: Saudi Arabia Grand Prix 2023: Date, start time, TV channel and live stream
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Current F1 star qualifies for world championship race on two wheels
- 34 minutes ago
Ricciardo given HUGE boost after upgrade claim
- 1 hour ago
‘Absolute b******s’ - Newey’s wife SLAMS Red Bull F1 claims
- 2 hours ago
Norris INJURED at party with legendary DJ
- 3 hours ago
Newey tipped to POACH key Red Bull staff if he joins F1 rivals
- Today 18:57
F1 paddock favourite admits immense DOUBTS over Verstappen Red Bull future
- Today 17:57
Related news
McLaren leading fight for HUGE cash injection
Young F1 star set to make McLaren debut in injury replacement
F1 star reveals how Verstappen and Hamilton rivalry influenced key decision
Norris reveals CRUCIAL save that kept him at McLaren
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860