Norris expects considerable challenge: 'It's similar to Zandvoort'

Lando Norris hopes to fight for the podium spots in China, but the McLaren driver realises that will be a big challenge. In Japan - where he had higher expectations - he had to settle for fifth place a fortnight ago. He sees that Red Bull Racing and also Ferrari are simply faster on Sunday.

The layout of the Shanghai International Circuit suits the MCL38 a little less. "The long corners, just like turn 1, are just not good for us, similar to Zandvoort for example. We've got some things to try and we're constantly trying to improve these areas, but it's an area we know is one of our biggest weaknesses. And maybe we kind of get away with it in qualifying, but especially into the race, it becomes a bigger problem for us," Norris said ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.

In qualifying, McLaren has done well in the first four weekends this year. "Yes, we've been happy with how the season started. I think we're in a good qualifying battle with Aston Martin, Mercedes is very close and even last weekend ahead of Ferrari. And I think in racing we've done a good job. Not as good as Red Bull and Ferrari, but ahead of Aston Martin and Mercedes. So I think we're in a good spot. This wasn't a great circuit for us in 2019, but many things have changed since then. So I'm still optimistic we can have a good weekend."

Can McLaren win in 2024?

Team boss Andrea Stella stated after the weekend in Japan that he thinks McLaren can win in 2024. Norris is still waiting for his first win in Formula 1, but he does not think he will take that first win any time soon.

"Not anytime soon, that's for sure. I think we can, right place, right time, if we improve the car how we need to. Honestly, there weren't too many frustrations with Suzuka. I think everything went pretty much as expected. I didn’t think we did a perfect job and I think we probably should have finished one place higher up, potentially. But I don't think it was far off. We've been in the same place all season. We've been behind Red Bull, we've been behind Ferrari, and we've been a bit of a step ahead of the other two teams come the race. And that's exactly how last weekend went. So I don't think there was too many frustrations, but we know the issues," he said.