Lando Norris expresses caution about McLaren's apparent pace advantage at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, despite leading a team 1-2 in FP2 practice session.

With Ferrari's Charles Leclerc facing a 10-place grid penalty due to an energy store change, McLaren's chances of securing their first constructors' title since 1998 have improved. However, Norris remains measured in his assessment.

"The car's been feeling good the whole day, but it certainly looks better than it is," Norris explained. "I don't think any of the others turned up their engines yet, so we're still going to have a tough fight tomorrow."

While McLaren shows strong pace, Norris identifies areas for improvement, particularly in high-fuel runs. These adjustments focus on finding the optimal balance between speed and tire management, including:

• Fine-tuning driving techniques
• Adjusting steering wheel settings
• Optimizing underlying car balance

McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella maintains that Leclerc's penalty doesn't reduce the pressure, stating: "We talk about Charles Leclerc. We talk about Ferrari. It's a very strong combination. Even with the penalty, I wouldn't be surprised if we see them rapidly fighting for the top positions."

With a 21-point lead over Ferrari in the constructors' championship, McLaren remains focused on maximizing their performance while staying cautious about their apparent advantage.

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