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Norris: McLaren maximising everything to become quicker than midfield rivals

15:30, 11 Apr 2019

byBobby Vincent

McLaren driver Lando Norris has insisted his team are doing everything they can to upgrade its car and become quicker than its midfield rivals as we approach the Chinese Grand Prix.

Norris impressed in Bahrain, charging to a P6 finish two weeks ago and record McLaren's first points finish of the season, on just his second start as a Formula 1 driver.

McLaren's midfield rivals Renault, Haas and Alfa Romeo, were all beaten by the Woking-based team, so they could boast the "best of the rest" status behind the front three of Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes.

Norris has insisted McLaren do not have the quickest car in the midfield, but they did the best job in order to record his first ever points finish.

"I think overall it's probably too early to tell (the pecking order)," Norris said. "I think we can say at least we're in a decent position. I probably wouldn't say we're the best of the midfield teams.

"I think we've done a better job as a team compared to the others, but I don't think we have the best package. I think there's a lot of work to do to be able to race Red Bull in every race weekend, or to clear the midfield group and be inbetween Red Bull and Haas and Renault.

"I think that's how we've managed to get the points and get into Q3, just by maximising everything."