Carlos Sainz revealed that Lando Norris privately admitted the biggest challenge he faces at McLaren, a secret struggle that has never been shared publicly before, raising questions about how this hidden issue might be impacting his performance and the team's future success.

Lando Norris arrives at the Austrian Grand Prix under considerable pressure. In fact, few drivers will face more scrutiny this weekend.

Norris crashed into McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri at the end of the previous race in Canada, though he was the driver who bore all the consequences. The Englishman’s ill-judged move ended in the barriers on the start/finish straight.

That cost him at least 10 points and allowed Piastri to extend his advantage to 22. He’s currently closer to Max Verstappen in third (21).

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The gap isn’t alarming at this stage. For instance, if Piastri were to suffer a DNF this weekend and Norris took victory, the lead would change hands.

But on current form, it appears that the margin will only grow. Norris has only won two of the first 10 Grands Prix, while Piastri has stood on the top step five times.

Carlos Sainz backs Lando Norris to overcome Daniel Ricciardo-like problems with McLaren car

Speaking to outlets including Canal+ ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, Norris’ former McLaren teammate Carlos Sainz discussed his struggles. The Spaniard thinks it comes down to qualifying.

After thrashing Piastri in the McLaren head-to-head last year, Norris now trails 8-4 over a single lap (including Sprints). He started outside the top five for the third time this season in Canada (P7).

Based on their conversations, Sainz believes that a lack of ‘feeling’ is to blame for Norris’ issues. It’s ‘unfortunate’ that he’s lost his long-term comfort in the car at the very point McLaren have become contenders.

“It’s obviously not been an easy year for Lando looking from the outside, and then when I talk to him, he’s clearly lacking a bit of the feeling he had with the car compared to previous years,” Sainz said.

“A bit unfortunate that that happens exactly when you’re fighting for the world championship. It’s the way that F1 can go.

“We’ve seen the career of many drivers being compromised by having a year where the car just doesn’t seem to go exactly the way you like. You can name Daniel [Ricciardo], for example, when he changed to McLaren.

“That’s why F1 is such a complex sport because it doesn’t depend purely on you and your talent, but also on a lot of things coming together at the same time, at the right time. My feeling is that Lando as a driver has the capacity to turn things around with his talent, with his speed.

“There’s still plenty of races where anything can happen, and it will all come down to whether he can put those laps together in quali at the right time.”

Why McLaren are unable to make Lando Norris their number two driver

In an effort to improve that ‘feeling’, McLaren introduced a Norris-inspired upgrade in Montreal. Piastri elected not to use it.

One report has since claimed that the move caused ‘a bit of unrest’ between the two drivers. It also indicates that Piastri is a long way from becoming the lead driver.

McLaren have faced calls to prioritise the Australian to see off the lingering threat of Verstappen. They still believe they can keep the title fight in-house.

While Norris is obliged to obey any team orders, his contract guarantees him equal treatment to Piastri. McLaren mean it when they publicly talk about having ‘two number one’ drivers.