Lando Norris' Strategic Decision to Reduce Data Dependency: A Key to Success in Formula 1
Lando Norris' recent triumph in the Mexico Grand Prix has propelled him back to the top of the Formula 1 standings, just one point ahead of his teammate, Oscar Piastri. This achievement is attributed to Norris' newfound consistency in recent races, which may have been further enhanced by a strategic decision to minimize the data he receives on his steering wheel.
The turning point for Norris was his debrief in Singapore, which led to his dominant performance in Mexico. One of the critical factors that contributed to his success was the improved cooling qualities and degradation management of the rear tires, allowing him to take pole position in Mexico compared to fifth in Singapore. Piastri, on the other hand, qualified third in Marina Bay but fell back to eighth in Mexico.
The difference between the two drivers goes beyond setup and lap time. They also adopt distinct approaches to setting their qualifying times on Saturdays. Norris has requested the removal of the delta from his steering wheel display since the Monaco Grand Prix. The delta is a time indicator that shows a driver whether they are improving or deteriorating from their best lap, turn by turn.
Norris' decision to eliminate the delta is driven by a desire to minimize the influence of available data. Many drivers use the delta, positioned in the upper right-hand corner of the McLaren steering wheel, to assess their lap progress and understand their performance relative to their best time. However, Norris believes that this data point can impact his performance, so he chooses to remove it during qualifying.
By removing the delta, Norris aims to maximize every corner, knowing that he can still abort the lap if he makes an obvious mistake. He acknowledges that sensations may not always align with stopwatch effectiveness, and he wants to focus solely on the track during qualifying.
Norris' approach is unique, as he still has the lap time displayed at the end of the pass, providing a final reference point. Additionally, key data such as tire temperature, gear balance, and brake balance remains visible, allowing him to optimize tire preparation and find the operating window.
However, during a race weekend, the delta returns to Norris' steering wheel, ensuring consistency and providing a reference for the team's potential savings at various points in the race. This strategic decision to reduce data dependency has proven to be a significant factor in Norris' success in Formula 1, setting him apart from his teammate, Piastri.
