Norris: "This is going to be the best chance to be on the podium in a long time"

After Mercedes and Red Bull Racing, McLaren seems to be becoming the clear number three on the Formula 1 grid. The British team has switched from Renault to Mercedes engines, but Lando Norris has tempered expectations.

McLaren want to be on to the podium

When asked if we can expect to see McLaren on the podium on a regular basis, Norris responded with hope during Sky Sports' The F1 Show.

"Well I mean I had a podium last year and I’m hoping we’re going to be closer than we were last year at the same time, so we have to wait and see. Everyone always says we have to wait and see what everyone is like in the preseason testing, but it’s obvious it’s going to be Mercedes and Red Bull leading the way at the moment."

Last season McLaren were in the midfield group where five teams competed for points and sometimes podiums. But according to Norris, that group doesn't really exist anymore. "There’s a lot of teams involved, Williams have caught up as well, Alfa Romeo seemed pretty good in the preseason test."

Making life difficult for Red Bull and Mercedes

"I’m hoping there will be some races along the way that we can really bring it to the front two teams at the moment, but they are that little bit ahead and we’re working as hard as we can to close that gap, because we want to be on the podium and this is going to be our best chance to be on the podium in a very long time," concluded Norris.

Norris will begin his third full Formula One season. In Daniel Ricciardo, the young Briton gets a new, experienced teammate who knows what it is like to win races. Things are looking positive for McLaren, who finished third in the Constructors' Championship last season.