‘Norris is giving Ricciardo a mammoth task’

Lando Norris, the star of midfield so far this season, is giving his new team-mate Daniel Ricciardo a “mammoth task”, so says Timo Glock.

While many predicted Ricciardo, a seven-time grand prix winner, would get the better of Norris in their first season together at McLaren, it is the Brit who is leading that race.

He is also leading the battle for best of the rest.

Norris is the only driver outside of Mercedes or Red Bull to have featured on the podium, the 21-year-old third at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Beating Ricciardo in all three of their races as team-mates, Norris has 37 points to the Aussie’s 16.

Norris has impressed former F1 driver Glock, who says he is “the man” of the midfield.

In his latest column for Sky Germany, the German said: “The midfield in Formula 1 continues to be very competitive.

“For me, Lando Norris is clearly THE man in this part of the field. He’s delivering extremely well at the moment, doing a very strong job, racing well and showing strong overtaking manoeuvres.

“He makes very few mistakes, uses the package he has very well and is giving his team-mate Daniel Ricciardo a mammoth task at the moment.”

The German has backed Ricciardo to fight back, saying as he had a slow start at Renault before finding his feet, the same will happen at McLaren.

“But we have already seen that with the Australian at Renault,” Glock continued. “He had his little problems there at the beginning, but over time he implemented his style very well.

“That’s why we’ll have to wait and see how this team-internal duel develops at McLaren.

“In general, McLaren is very, very strong at the moment and I’m also extremely happy for Andreas Seidl, who is doing a really great job and leading McLaren back on track towards third place.”

Stand out from the crowd with McLaren merchandise via the official Formula 1 store

The German has also applauded Ferrari’s leap forward in this year’s championship, the Scuderia battling McLaren for third place in the Constructors’ Championship.

The team has scored in all three races, starting with double points-hauls at the Sakhir and Imola circuits.

“You can’t ignore Ferrari, who have made a good leap compared to last season,” said Glock.

“Both drivers are at a very high level, but in the battle for the midfield positions, I personally see McLaren ahead in Barcelona.”

The former Toyota man is also keeping an eye on the returning Fernando Alonso, who will be racing at home in the Spanish GP this weekend.

“I am also curious to see what Fernando Alonso can deliver at his home grand prix,” he added.

“In Portimao he showed a very good performance. After having problems in qualifying, he improved a lot in the race.”

Follow us on Twitter @Planet_F1 and like our Facebook page.