“I wasn’t expecting a P5” – Lando Norris

It was yet another sublime Sunday by Lando Norris and the McLaren F1 Team at the French Grand Prix with the British driver crossing the line as best of the rest in fifth, just ahead of team-mate Daniel Ricciardo in an excellent sixth.

It was one of the team’s best overall performances of the season with both cars within the top six, Norris and Ricciardo were both on different strategies. With Norris, the team had him run long on his opening stint on the medium tyres, before moving onto the hards which were much fresher than those around him.

On the fresher tyres Norris manages to carve is way through the field up to fifth place with some brilliant overtaking moves. Norris continues his run of points finishes this season and is now the only driver to finish in the points at every grand prix in 2021. He will be looking to keep the run going in Austria.

“Obviously I’m really happy. I wasn’t really expecting a P5 coming into today, even with a perfect race. I just didn’t think we would have the pace that we did. It was tricky with the tyre management but a lot better than we hoped, which is always good news.

“A good one for us as a team, a fifth and a sixth, one of the best team results this season. Overall a fun race. Hopefully we can continue this into the next few races.”

“Definitely a positive Sunday” – Daniel Ricciardo

For Australian Daniel Ricciardo it was one of his highest finishes so far this season. Ricciardo made good progress in the opening stages of the race before pitting early to undercut Pierre Gasly.

From then on Ricciardo managed his tyres well to guide his McLaren home in sixth, but still behind team-mate Norris.Ricciardo is happy to be back fighting towards the top five in what he dubs as the ‘dream race’ for the team.

“Definitely a positive Sunday. I think it was the race we were hoping for but not the one we expected. I don’t think we expected our closest competitor to score no points, and for us to be the best of the midfield with both cars. That was our dream race and we managed to pull it off. I’m really happy with the race, although if I’m honest, I wasn’t totally happy with the car.

“I was struggling from the laps to grid and then for the whole race. But it felt like everyone else, besides Lando, was struggling more. It was a fun race and I’m happy we brought it home in fifth and sixth for the team today. It’s about time we got back in these positions, so it was a positive day.”

Credit: Glenn Dunbar/ Motorsport Images/ McLaren F1 Team