McLaren "realistic" over 2020 potential despite strong start - Sainz

Carlos Sainz has said Mclaren remains realistic as to what is possible in 2020, despite sitting third in the standings after the opening triple-header of the Formula 1 season.

McLaren began the campaign with Lando Norris scoring the maiden podium of his F1 career.

Results have been more difficult to come by in the following two grands prix, the MCL35 appearing to be less suited to the Hungaroring than the Red Bull Ring, and Sainz expects the picture to change once again at Silverstone.

The Spaniard said: "I think the whole grid could change quite a lot from one track to the other, and we just need to stay alert and make sure we can keep our momentum up, and also be realistic that qualifying in the top five might no longer be possible."

In Hungary, Mercedes, Racing Point and Ferrari locked out the front three rows of the grid.

McLaren qualified Lando Norris eighth and Sainz ninth, but Sainz added: "We are very realistic of where we are right now, which is probably a bit better from where we thought after winter testing.

"Especially on a track like Austria where we performed so well last year, it was nice to feel the car a step better than last year.

"[Last year] There wasn't a very fast pink car to battle around, so I think this year is going to be a bit more tricky to qualify in those positions."

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