Norris: No major advantage for F1 drivers who took part in sim races
Lando Norris does not expect a "night and day" difference between Formula 1 drivers who have and have not done sim racing across the enforced coronavirus break once track action resumes

The COVID-19 pandemic has offered real-world drivers the chance to take part in a number of Esports events, including F1 drivers Norris, Charles Leclerc, Alexander Albon, George Russell, Nicholas Latifi and Antonio Giovinazzi - while a handful of others entered for one-off races.
While Norris, who teamed up with Max Verstappen and two sim racers for the Virtual 24 Hours of Le Mans run in partnership between the ACO, the World Endurance Championship and Motorsport Games, says those who have used sims might be at a slight advantage when racing starts again next month in Austria, the McLaren driver believes it will only be a matter of laps before the drivers who took part in no sim racing will be back on the pace.
"They [sim racers] will have a slight advantage in some areas but it's not going to be night and day, you're not just going to see the sim racers do miles better than the guys who haven't done any sim racing," Norris told Autosport.
"It's very small differences and it might be we get back into it a lap before or something like that but nothing else.
"There's going to be little things, work with the engineers and stuff like that which you might be a little bit more ahead with initially, but the drivers are so good nowadays that they can jump in and after two or three laps we can be back on the pace of what you were previously so it makes a small difference but it's not going to be huge."
Norris is also confident that the season will comprise of more than just eight races - the number currently confirmed so far and all of which will take place in Europe.

But he admits that the final shortened schedule could alter how drivers approach the season, with fewer chances to shine and the risk of a retirement proving more costly.
"I'm pretty confident there's going to be quite a few more races than just eight, I think there's definitely going to be more than that," he said.
"That's [taking greater risks] something I need to speak through with my engineers and work out as a team what's best for us and what's best for me.
"There's obviously things I need to improve on anyway and I'm confident I can do a better job in, that's something more for Austria and when we know what our pace is like.
"If it was just eight races obviously you probably would take those few more risks but I'm confident that it's probably going to be more races than that, whether they will be flyaways or back in Europe I'm not too sure yet."

Previous article
My job in F1: Carlos Sainz's performance coach Rupert Manwaring
Next article
F1 News: McLaren set to arrange loan with Bahrain national bank

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Drivers | Lando Norris |
Author | Stefan Mackley |
Norris: No major advantage for F1 drivers who took part in sim races
Trending
Albert Park Circuit Modifications Project
Mercedes-AMG F1 Team: Bahrain GP Race Debrief
The diva that stole a march on F1’s wide-bodied opposition
In 2017 new F1 technical regulations were supposed to add drama - and peg Mercedes back. STUART CODLING looks at the car which, while troubled, set the stage for the wide-bodied Formula 1 era
The themes to watch in F1’s Imola return
Three weeks is a long time in Formula 1, but in the reshaped start to the 2021 season the teams head to Imola to pick things up after the frenetic Bahrain opener. Here's what to look out for and the developments to follow at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The 'new' F1 drivers who need to improve at Imola
After a pandemic-hit winter of seat-swapping, F1 kicked off its season with several new faces in town, other drivers adapting to new environments, and one making a much-anticipated comeback. BEN ANDERSON looks at who made the most of their opportunity and who needs to try harder…
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says NIGEL ROEBUCK
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of car-racing titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Are we at peak F1 right now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak
How crucial marginal calls will decide the Red Bull vs Mercedes battle in F1 2021
The longer Red Bull can maintain a performance edge over Mercedes, the better the odds will be in the team’s favour against the defending world champions. But as the Bahrain Grand Prix showed, many more factors will be critical in the outcome of the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship
How Williams’ new structure adheres to a growing F1 trend
Williams held out against the tide for many years but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, the age of the owner-manager is long gone