Norris won't fight too much with the top teams: 'Unless there's a chance of P1...'

F1 News

26 June 2021 at 16:29
Last update 27 June 2021 at 00:47
  • GPblog.com

Lando Norris is clearly in great form, with a third-place on the grid for the Styrian Grand Prix. The young Brit is delighted with the result but has no intention of battling with the top teams.

After qualifying, Lando Norris walks up to the Ziggo Sport camera overjoyed. "The orange army for McLaren this weekend!"" the young driver shouted. That happiness is justified because Norris will start from P3 tomorrow, after another strong qualifying.

He also stayed neatly within the track limits, which was not exactly the case in the free practice sessions. "It's too much effort to stay inside the track every time. Every lap my engineer was like 'er track limits again and again'. If I don't do that in qualifying, then it's fine."

Fighting for a podium?

Although the McLaren driver is in good shape for the race, he doesn't expect to fight for a podium tomorrow. "I am in a good place tomorrow, but in my opinion place third, fourth, fivth or sixth is all similar. We're not going to be racing Mercedes or Red Bull Racing anyway. Putting a bit more of a gap with the rest of the midfield is nice."

Norris just won't park his competitors' car when they loom in the rear-view mirror. "We have to judge how much we want to fight Mercedes because I have Bottas and Perez behind me. If there is a chance to move up a place or to be first, then I will go for it. But I don't want to ruin my tyres or my race," the young driver concluded.