Following Oscar Piastri’s victory in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, McLaren driver Lando Norris says he is ‘very happy’ and ‘proud’ of what seems to be McLaren’s ‘mini-DRS’ as the British outfit is under close watch after the win.
There was a controversy with the McLaren’s title contender car after footage circulated of the MCL38’s rear wing flexing on the straights in Azerbaijan, appearing as if it was designed in a way that opens up the slot gap, reducing rear wing drag and therefore offering a speed boost.
Dubbed as a ‘mini-DRS’, McLaren’s rear wing caused a stir in the paddock, though the rear wing did pass the mandatory deflection tests and nothing does look awry as it fully conforms the regulations, the FIA is currently reviewing if further action on flexi-wings is required.
Asked about the influx of stories over the wing since Baku, Norris insisted that he is ‘very happy’ with the car’s design.
“Everything’s been tested, everything’s legal,” he said. “We’re doing what we can, that’s what Formula 1 is for – exploring everything within the rules.
“We’ve cleared all the tests and everything and FIA are happy.
“So now I’m proud, I’m happy with what the team are doing – they’re pushing the limits and that’s what you’ve got to do if you want to fight at the top and fight against people who are also known for doing such things and exploring every area possible.
“Now I’m more proud of the team for pushing every single area that we can.
“We’ve not been in situations where we could do that in the past but now we’re in that position so I’m very happy.
“It’s actually a cool thing to see, I think, in my opinion.
He then commended the team for ‘doing a very good job’ in regards to innovations that other teams have deployed.
“There’s so many rules, there’s so many things in place, but teams, including us, are finding ways to just explore and look at different things that other people have not thought of.
“As much as you might see us doing it, there’s plenty of other teams doing it that you just don’t see on TV.
“Maybe you’ve not led a race and you don’t see on certain cameras and stuff, but it’s not just us.
“It’s a big game, it’s a big race out there, but for my side of the heart, I’m very happy with what McLaren have done.”
