'Heading in the right direction' – Norris optimistic over McLaren's Barcelona chances after setting the pace on Friday

Lando Norris believes McLaren is "heading in the right direction" as the reigning World Champion topped Free Practice 2 ahead of this weekend's Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

The Briton finished 0.009s clear of Mercedes' George Russell in Friday's second, one-hour session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, despite missing FP1 as rookie and reigning F2 champion, Leonardo Fornaroli, took over his MCL40.

With team mate Oscar Piastri second in FP1 and third in FP2, just 0.057s behind Norris in the latter, McLaren look on par with Mercedes as F1 returns to a more traditional style of circuit which is used extensively for testing.

"It's not an easy track even though it's a track I know more than anywhere else," said Norris.

"It's quick, obviously very different to the last few tracks we've been to in Monaco and Montreal. A lot quicker, you're playing with the car in a different regime to where we have been the last few weeks and it seems to also be working in a better place in the last few weeks."

Norris has failed to finish in the last two Grands Prix due to technical issues, and despite a promising start to the weekend in Spain, believes more work is required before the car is in a comfortable window.

Especially as all drivers and teams struggled with tyre degradation in the hot conditions, with Qualifying on Saturday set to be even warmer.

"We're up there with the people we want to be," added Norris. "It's hard to know what fuel loads and power modes other people are on but I think we're just happy we're heading in the right direction from the last couple of weeks.

"It's clear that the car is working better, it's probably not working as good as we want still and there's still things I'm not happy with and we need to improve and want to improve.

"But I think we can't complain too much considering how the last month has been. We'll just work hard tonight and see what we can maximise for tomorrow."