Norris hopes McLaren are on the way up

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Lando Norris believes the need for tyre management in Formula 1 races creates huge pressure.

Lando Norris believes the need for tyre management in Formula 1 races creates huge pressure.

Lando Norris secured a stunning P6 finish in the Bahrain Grand Prix, a result which he hopes will send McLaren in the right direction.

After maintaining his 100% record for Q3 appearances, Norris went from strength-to-strength in the race, even overtaking veteran Kimi Raikkonen to secure his first points in Formula 1, in what was only his second race in the category.

McLaren, who haven’t made the podium since the 2014 season opener, looked strong for a double-points finish early on, with Carlos Sainz up to P6 and challenging Max Verstappen in the Red Bull.

However, the two would come to blows, causing Sainz to drop down the order and ultimately record back-to-back retirements so far in 2019.

Norris would continue to fly the McLaren flag though, and while he suggested the team would be much happier with wins, the 19-year-old highlighted the big step forward which has been made.

“It’s definitely on the way up,” he told Sky Sports.

“I’m sure they’d be happier with a first place. But, [yes] the steps we have taken from last year.

“To be two out of two times in Q3 and have two opportunities to get into the points and a P6, I think from the outside we do have a better trend than what we did last year.

“The mechanics, the engineers, the bosses who are obviously here this weekend – I think we gave them what they all deserve.”

When asked by Nico Rosberg how McLaren have made improvements, Norris joked: “The drivers.”

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