Norris reveals startling McLaren deficit after Azerbaijan practice

Lando Norris has stated McLaren is a “long way off” following Friday practice ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, admitting it is almost half a second down on its rivals.

The 24-year-old ended the FP2 outing in 17th place – however his fastest attempt was impeded by a slow-moving Pierre Gasly in the final sector.

Gasly stated over his team radio that he had a battery issue, leaving Norris to acknowledge the Alpine driver was not to blame for the close call.

“It probably wasn’t his fault, just here you don’t deploy the power until very late,” Norris said. 

“He’s just clearly misjudged it. It didn’t matter, I had done my lap already, it’s just a straight until then.”

McLaren’s leading car in Oscar Piastri was in fifth place, albeit half a second down on pace-setter Charles Leclerc for Ferrari.

Having possessed a front-running car at many of the rounds on the build-up to the event in Azerbaijan, Norris conceded it is now on the back foot around the Baku City Circuit.

“We’re quite a long way off,” Norris said. “I’m having to push way too much to try and get a lap time out of it. 

“Clearly where Oscar was is more where we are. If we nail it, we’re just about there. But I’m sure they’re not even close to nailing it yet. 

“I think we have quite a lot to find, honestly, compared to Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull who are all very similar. 

“Then there’s a good three or four-tenths gap back to us. A lot of us for us to do.”