Norris reckons Mercedes used higher power mode in Spa FP2

Lando Norris reckons all Mercedes-powered cars may have benefited from higher power unit settings in Friday’s second practice session at the Belgian Grand Prix, suggesting Red Bull and Ferrari did not reveal their full performance potential at Spa-Francorchamps.

The dramatic shift in the timesheets between the opening two sessions sparked plenty of intrigue, with Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli rising to the top of the FP2 standings after Red Bull and Ferrari had controlled the early running.

Max Verstappen had set the pace in FP1, with Ferrari also appearing competitive, while the fastest Mercedes-powered machine had been some distance away. But by the afternoon session, Antonelli led the way and Norris ended up second, just 0.19 seconds behind the Italian.

However, rather than viewing the result as a straightforward change in the competitive order, Norris suggested the advantage may have been influenced by different engine modes being used across the field.

“I think in terms of pace at the end, we seemed good on one lap,” the Briton said, referencing his own performance. “We seemed reasonable, but there's been quite a few times throughout the season where we seem good in FP2 and we're off come qualifying.

“Today was more just getting through our plan in FP1. It wasn't the cleanest FP1. We had a few problems and a few issues, which didn't allow us to get out of the garage as quickly as we wanted to.

“And obviously it would have been nice to get a few more laps in the end without the red flag, just to learn some more about high fuel. Otherwise, I think we made some improvements between the sessions and we have to see if we can do another step into P3.”

Norris warns Red Bull could strike back

Despite McLaren’s strong showing, Norris refused to assume the team had suddenly closed the gap to the front. The Briton pointed towards Red Bull’s tendency to improve as a race weekend progresses, particularly after Friday running.

“We've not really changed anything this weekend, so there's no reason for us to expect anything different. Red Bull normally just don't turn up [engine power] on Friday, so we're going to get to tomorrow and that'll be just as quick, if not quicker. So, let's just wait and see.

“I think we probably turned up with the Mercedes and the rest of them didn't. So, I think we're still probably fourth fastest. But it seems like if we can get things right, then we might be a little bit closer than we were in Silverstone.”

Norris’ comments suggest that the FP2 order may not represent the actual pace hierarchy heading into qualifying.

While Mercedes-powered cars appeared to make a significant step forward, the possibility remains that Red Bull and Ferrari are holding back performance until the weekend’s decisive sessions.

McLaren sees promise from new rear wing despite uncertainty

Away from the engine mode debate, McLaren also had positive signs from its latest technical update, with both cars running a new rear wing designed to improve the package at Spa.

Although interruptions limited the team’s running across both practice sessions, McLaren technical director of engineering Neil Houldey was encouraged by the performance gains.

“We were happy that it offered the performance that we thought it did and we've taken that forward into FP2 and obviously for the sessions moving forward,” Houldey said. "So pleased with that upgrade certainly, small stuff but obviously it all counts.

Houldey nevertheless echoed Norris’ caution, explaining that McLaren still had work to do before understanding exactly where it stood.

“I think Lando got the most out of the car as it was in that session so I don't think we can say that second is the position we're truly in,” he added.

“I think we've got opportunities in deployment, I think everyone's got opportunities in working out what optimal deployment is for the rest of the weekend but pleased that we're there or thereabouts in FP1, FP2 and therefore hopefully take that through to qualifying.

• Read also: Norris handed heavy grid penalty for Belgian GP

“From a setup perspective certainly Lando's side of the garage are pretty happy, Oscar's side a little bit less time to optimize the car so I think there's probably something there, and deployment we just need to spend a lot of time overnight looking at where the opportunities are, simulating a few different things and coming up with what we think is best for FP3.

“We've tried quite a lot of different options in FP1, FP2, we've seen a lot of other teams try a few different options and the optimum's out there somewhere, we just haven't found it yet.”

With Mercedes-powered cars appearing to make a significant leap in FP2, and Red Bull and Ferrari potentially waiting to respond, the true pecking order at Spa remains unclear.

Norris’ theory has added another layer of suspense ahead of qualifying, where the engine modes – and the real performance of each team – will finally be exposed.

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