Norris plays down McLaren expectations in face of Mercedes Red Bull battle

Lando Norris has played down expectations of McLaren despite a positive maiden outing of its MCL36.

McLaren topped two of the six sessions at the first test pre-season test recently at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya whilst also completing the third-highest number of laps of the 10 teams as Norris and Daniel Ricciardo racked up 365 in total.

It was Mercedes, however, that concluded the three days the quickest with the top two times from Lewis Hamilton and George Russell respectively, although the latter suggested McLaren and Ferrari were ahead on true pace.

Addressing Russell's remarks, Norris replied: "If there is any team you would expect to be at the front when it matters it is going to be Mercedes and probably Red Bull.

"I don't think we are in an amazing place, we are in a good place. We had a car which, as soon as we put it on track, worked well and to many expectations.

"Of course, there are always new things and some unexpected issues here and there but it was a good start."

McLaren has at least provided itself with a solid platform on which to build going into the second three-day test that starts on Thursday in Bahrain.

Describing the last test as "clean", Norris added: "We worked on our programme, we worked through things we wanted to work through.

"Of course, it is the first time you really get to compare things to the simulations we have had for the last two years or so, so it was productive.

"We made a lot of progress. Obviously, a lot of stuff to work on for us and myself as a driver but a lot of things learned."

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