Norris fears Racing Point could be ahead but hopes "we can regain control"

Despite his team dominating the midfield battle for the majority of 2019, McLaren's Lando Norris believes Racing Point will be "slightly towards the head" of midfield in 2020, although he added his side will look to "regain control".

McLaren were 54 points clear of their nearest midfield competitors Renault in 2019 as they cruised to fourth place in the constructors' championship, with Carlos Sainz picking up a podium in the process.

As the youngest driver on the grid, Norris himself finished 47 points behind Sainz in the drivers' championship but showed flashes of brilliance, with his bad luck on the mechanical side also not helping much as that cost him several points finishes.

Pink Mercedes

In 2020, Racing Point is tipped by many to be leading the midfield, at least at the start of the year. This mainly is because, as has been discussed at length during pre-season, the RP20 is incredibly similar to Mercedes' title-winning car from 2019, the W10. The data suggests they will probably be quickest in the midfield - at the start of the season, at least.

“It’s going to be close between all the midfield teams," Norris predicted when talking to Reuters.

"Racing Point do look very good, straight out of the blocks. The whole midfield including Williams this year look very close.

“So I think we need to work hard and keep our heads down and try to improve. Maybe Racing Point will be slightly towards the head of it, but I hope we can regain control and go from there.”