Why Norris ignored McLaren wish to test Mexico slipstream

McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl has explained why Lando Norris went against his team's wishes to test a manufactured slipstream with Daniel Ricciardo in first practice for the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Norris was heard being asked over the radio to begin his second qualifying simulation run to practice the tow with team-mate Ricciardo down the long start-finish straight at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

In response, however, Norris replied "I want to do my lap on my own, I don't want to do the towing" as he entered the stadium section at the end of the lap.

The tow could prove crucial come qualifying, as is seen at other circuits with such long straights as in Monza.

Addressing Norris' issue with the trial run, Seidl pointed to a disturbed first run for the Briton leading to a change of programme.

On the slipstream effect, Seidl told Sky Sports F1: "That is obviously one of the opportunities you look for to play the game with the two drivers to give a tow to each other, especially when it gets tight in quali two to move into quali three.

"We wanted to try it on the second lap with Lando but then he wanted to have another go because he had traffic on the first lap so he did it the lap after.

"We need to analyse how good that tow was and need to see what we will do with our cars."

Norris finished a poor first session of the weekend for McLaren 15th with Ricciardo a place ahead, trailing both Ferraris who were comfortably in the top 10.

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