"It is very satisfying to see McLaren return to a position of competitiveness"

Mika Hakkinen is pleased that McLaren are back looking more competitive. After a tough 2018, the Woking team are now topping the battle of the midfield and will hope that their future partnership with Mercedes leads them to further success. 

"It is very satisfying to see McLaren return to a position of relative competitiveness," Hakkinen said in his Unibet column. 

"Russia saw a strong performance from McLaren, particularly at the start of the race when Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris were both pushing the Mercedes drivers at the first corners.

"They qualified 6th and 8th and finished in those positions, giving McLaren a strong 4th place in the world championship for constructors, behind Red Bull Racing.

"And the news that they use Mercedes engines from 2021 onwards is very significant."

McLaren will hope that over the next few years they can make it back to the top of Formula 1.