Lando Norris faces doubts over pace as McLaren's new recruit raises eyebrows

 

Lando Norris, the rising star of the McLaren F1 team, is facing a potential headache this season as he may not be quick enough to challenge for podiums. This claim was made by F1 analyst Peter Windsor, who also suggested that the addition of hotly-tipped rookie Oscar Piastri could be unsettling for Norris.

Windsor believes that Norris has already been affected by Piastri's presence, citing the Briton's uncharacteristic mistake in Saudi Arabia as evidence. He also questioned why McLaren signed Piastri, stating that the young driver's super quick pace could mean that the team sees him as the future instead of Norris.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Windsor explained: "Not the sort of thing you'd expect of Lando Norris, not the sort of thing we've ever seen from Lando Norris. I put that down to the effect of Oscar Piastri alongside a driver like Lando."

Norris, who stepped up to a team leader position over the winter, has been regularly beating his more experienced teammate Daniel Ricciardo. However, Windsor suggested that McLaren may feel that Norris is not quick enough to challenge for podiums and that Piastri could be the future of the team.

This could end up being a headache for Norris, as he now needs to focus on his concentration in a different way. Despite his recent setback, Norris is still regarded as one of the most talented drivers on the grid, and he will undoubtedly be looking to prove his critics wrong in the coming races.

Only time will tell whether Norris will be able to rise to the challenge and maintain his position as one of the top drivers in F1. However, with the addition of Piastri, it seems that the battle for supremacy at McLaren is only just beginning