Norris worried not to bewitch the Red Bull Ring “good to me”

Lando Norris is careful not to bewitch his breathtaking form on the Red Bull Ring after the third qualifying for the Styrian Grand Prix.

The McLaren driver doesn’t need to finish in the top six in three starts at the venue and, in particular, scored the first podium of his F1 career when the sport returned to action last year after falling victim to Covid-19 in the first few months was.

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After the fourth fastest time in qualifying, the McLaren driver started third due to a penalty from Mercedes-Valtteri Bottas after his pit lane turn in practice on Friday.

Looking at another potential podium, Norris said, “I don’t want to bewitch it just yet.

“I have many more years here so I hope I haven’t peaked too early in my career at the Red Bull Ring, but we’ll try to keep that up for tomorrow.”

He added, “I’ve continued the good run we’ve had here since my first year in 2019. We had a really good result back then, so the Red Bull Ring has treated me well since I got into Formula 1.

“The car was strong here too. Many of the strengths are more evident here than on other tracks like Paul Ricard.

“Today I thought I drove pretty well, did my laps and the car was good. If you add the two together, we can come up with a result like today. ”

McLaren’s strengths have changed since 2019

Although the regulations have remained relatively stable during Norris’ two and a half years in Formula 1, the Brit reflected that his car’s strengths have changed during this period, with some previous positive now weaknesses.

“Where we are particularly good and not so good has actually changed a little compared to the last few years,” added Norris.

“It’s not that we’re just strong in the same places and weak in the same places, it’s shifted a bit, which is good and bad in some ways.

“We improved the weaker areas a bit, which is good but difficult to say.

“Today we looked good and were strong, but everyone knows that we will make it by tomorrow and that Mercedes will be a lot faster and Red Bull will be too.

“Maybe not miles faster, but they still have a much better racing car than we do.”