Lando Norris confident McLaren can make large gains through the 2023 Formula 1 season

The once upward trajectory of McLaren has curved the other way in recent seasons, with the team that was threatening to join the battle with Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull now struggling to make it to the third round of qualifying.

To make matters even worse, any hope the new year would bring about a change in fortune were firmly squashed with both Norris and Oscar Piastri failing to finish the race due to technical issues.

However, the young British driver has had a look around the paddock and has taken heart from recent rapid gains made by competitor teams, such as Ferrari from 2021 to 2022 and Aston Martin from last season to now.

What's more, he believes the team can make similar gains during the season rather than at the factory during winter.

"We've clearly seen how big of a step Aston Martin have taken from one year to another, and how big of a step Ferrari took from 2021 to 2022," Norris said, according to Formula 1 News

"I know both of those were in the off-seasons, and maybe there's more potential to do such big changes, but there's no reason why 50% or 75% of that can't be done through the season."

New team principal Andrea Stella revealed the car could be much improved as soon as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with some major upgrades set to be introduced.

"I think that for the level of talent, and for the availability we have at McLaren already, we can recover and we can out-develop other teams," said Stella.

"What we see in development right now is a very alive car, in terms of development. There are some areas of the car that seem to be able to generate good downforce.

"Like I've said already, they were not ready in time to be part of the launch spec, but this car will evolve pretty much race-by-race, with some major upgrades that will come… I would say around race four."