Lando Norris on McLaren: 'Why we're the perfect title-winning combination'

“It was just a different story, we set up the car very differently, we didn’t know what the car was going to be like, just because it’s slower speed we thought we’d struggle a bit more – and in Barcelona we struggled in the slower speeds.

“We have to just kind of understand it, why when we ran the set-up we have in Barcelona that doesn’t work as well, but why it worked very well here.”

Norris conceded that there’s more to be done to ensure consistently competitive form in 2021.

“We’re not there yet, we’ve still got a lot of work to do. I was very happy with my qualifying lap yesterday. I don’t think we were two-tenths off on pure pace, I think I put in a very good lap, I think realistically we were three of four-tenths off.

“We’ll see. I’m confident for certain tracks because of this result, places like Singapore, for example. Tracks that are more like Barcelona, I’m a bit more nervous about.

“Baku I guess I can be half-confident, half-nervous. Mixed feelings, but I’m confident we’re doing a good job, but we just need to keep it up and keep improving.”

A second podium of the 2021 season was the perfect way for Norris to celebrate his extended contract. The new deal shows an impressive degree of confidence in both parties that they can continue to make progress together.

“I’m super excited,” said Norris. “I’m happy to be in F1. But even happier, and it makes it more special, that I can just continue that with McLaren.

“And, yeah, it’s multi-year, but I wanted to go on for as long as possible. And I want to score my first win, and I want to score a championship with McLaren.

“So I’m dedicated to them. And they have the same confidence back in me. So it’s a perfect combination. I hope it can go on for many years. And we’ll just continue writing this little story that we’ve written so far from four years ago.

“I’m happy. I like the position I’m in, I like to be able to help the team, lead the team when I can. And that’s the job I’ll be doing.”

Some could argue that over the recent weeks Norris has put himself high on every F1 team’s wish list, and that he could perhaps have kept his options open a little longer.

However, that does a disservice to McLaren, which despite its years of struggle remains an organisation with the resources and the potential to return to winning ways. Recognising that, Norris committed to the longer-term instead of gambling on an opening perhaps arising elsewhere.

“I guess I kind of knew that from the beginning that McLaren, even when they were struggling, they’re still a big team. People would love to be with McLaren, and I guess I’m still privileged to be in that position.

“I feel like I’ve earned it. But also it’s even better to know that they have the faith in me, and they want me to stick around for even longer.

“They’ve always been a big team. But I think now more than ever, or more than for many, many years, it’s an even better position to be in, knowing what we can achieve in the future, and what we’ve been achieving over the last couple of years. So hopefully we can just take that next step to make it even better.”

Talk of McLaren getting back to winning ways is not just hot air. As we know 2022 is a re-set under the new rules, and the Woking team has as much chance as any team of getting it right.

“It’s equalising for everyone,” said Norris. “I think you’ll see the people who have been able to change their focus earlier onto next year’s cars will still be quicker. And we’ll learn a bit more about the cars, and so on.

“It’s very, very unlikely you’re not going to see a Mercedes or a Red Bull at the front, or a Ferrari. But I’m hoping we’re included in that. We’re still focusing on this year, but we are shifting our focus to next year and making sure we’re as prepared for that as possible.”

“Lando is continuously working hard on himself in order to get even better.”

McLaren is certain that in Norris it has the right man, and while Daniel Ricciardo is still getting fully confident with the car, the feeling is that they will gel into a formidable line-up.

“I think it was not a big surprise for both sides that we committed so early to continuing our journey together,” said team principal Andreas Seidl. “It was clear that he feels very happy in the team.

“It was also clear that with everything he has delivered for the team the last two years, plus this great start to the season, that we are very happy with him. So there was no reason to waste any more time or energy in having lengthy negotiations. But it was good to get this out of the way.”

Seidl agreed that the team has seen huge progress from Norris since his first season in 2019.

“It’s simply impressive to see the development he has shown as a driver, and as a person, over the last three years he’s working together with us. It is a big challenge and task for these young guys after the junior categories to jump into F1.

“And it’s not just about driving the car quickly. It’s also about everything else that’s ongoing outside of the car in F1, which is challenging, and is big for these guys.