Lando Norris has acknowledged that missing out on lap time during free practice this year has a knock-on effect for the remainder of the weekend.
The F1 cars this year have been built under a fresh set of technical regulations with major changes made to both the aerodynamics and power units.
The drivers have been using the opening rounds to learn about the cars as they attempt to get up to speed.
However, Norris has faced a variety of issues in practice outings this year – including last time out in Japan when his on-track outings were limited.
When asked by media including RacingNews365 if missing practice this year has a more detrimental effect compared to previous eras, Norris said: “Yeah, 100%, a lot more.
“It’s obviously still a new car, and it’s a new track where the tarmac is a lot grippier here.
“It’s new tarmac as well. It’s a much quicker track, so you have to drive the car quite differently to how we’ve driven the last few [years].”
At Suzuka, mistakes were frequently spotted as the drivers adjusted to the behaviour of the newly constructed challengers, a sight that was mirrored in Australia and China.
Norris insisted the increase in the battery output is also impacting how the team’s are setting up their cars.
“You’ve seen how many mistakes people have been making, into Spoon and things with the rear, it’s just not easy,” he said.
“So certainly now it costs more than before, not just as a driver, but also to understand how the power unit works, to get the battery in the right way.
“Then you have to lift more in places, what you have to then adjust with the set-up, because you have to lift more.
“There are a lot of little things.”