Norris struggling to adapt in McLaren despite topping drivers' championship
Lando Norris says he is "being forced to drive in a different way" than he is used to, in order to get the best out of his McLaren this season.
The Briton tops the drivers' championship after the opening four races of the 2025 season, three points clear of team-mate Oscar Piastri.
Norris triumphed at the Australian Grand Prix, while he has also had podium finishes in China, Japan and Bahrain.
Nevertheless, the 25-year-old feels he is "not able to be at the level I should be" after having to "adapt a lot in uncomfortable ways" to the car.
"It is clear that there are things that have changed since last year, when I was feeling very comfortable," he said ahead of this weekend's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah. "That's not allowing me to do as good of a job this year.
Pit lane details
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 17, 2025
The drivers' garages feature the Arabic translation of their names this weekend#F1 #SaudiArabianGP pic.twitter.com/879c6ff5XT
"It's not that I'm doing a bad job, it's just that I'm not able to be at the level I should be, and know I can be and want to be.
"In order to perform better, I'm being forced to drive in a different way, in a different manner that I'm not used to. And that is not normal for me at all."
By contrast, Norris' team-mate Piastri thinks he is getting "the most" out of the McLaren, having triumphed in China and Bahrain.
"The pace of the car has been everything I could ask for," the Australian said. "[I am] very proud of the whole job that we have done; firstly, giving us a great car and also helping me get the most out of it.
"I think that's been a real strength so far this year. I feel like I am in a good place, on and off the track, and just trying to keep that going."