McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo are keeping their expectations in check despite finishing both practice sessions at Albert Park in the top 10.
Norris and Ricciardo set the fifth and eighth fastest times, respectively, in the morning sessions before ending Friday eighth and tenth fastest in the afternoon’s running.
However, despite describing the day as McLaren’s best Friday of the short season so far, Norris says that the improved pace may have more to do with the revised Albert Park layout than the minimal changes to their car.
“It looked alright. It wasn’t amazing – it was decent,” said Norris. “Probably our best Friday so far, so I’m hoping it can continue into tomorrow because we have a good feeling.
“We’re extracting everything we can out of the car and I think we’re doing a good job, but a lot of what you’re seeing is just the track.
“Of course there’ll be some little things that we’re improving. But when I say ‘little’, it’s…