Norris hoped for a podium: "Something happened when Bottas stopped"

Lando Norris had an excellent start of the new Formula 1 season. The McLaren-driver drove his car to fourth place and defeated his new and experienced teammate Daniel Ricciardo.

Norris admitted after the race that he briefly thought he could go for the podium when Valtteri Bottas made a slow pit stop. "Something happened when Bottas stopped and I was hoping he was out of the race. No, of course you don't wish that on anyone, but for a moment I thought something was going to happen and I remembered last year's season opener," the Brit is quoted by SpeedWeek.com.

"But I'm very happy with fourth place," Norris continued. He was able to control the race after passing Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly and Charles Leclerc in the early stages of the race. "I fought hard for positions at the start so I could save my tyres later on."

Norris does know, however, that there is still plenty of work to do for McLaren. Red Bull Racing and Mercedes were able to drive far away and Norris thinks he could have done more if he was allowed to start from fourth. "But in terms of the first race, I think we can be very satisfied," he concludes.