Norris wary of Renault improvements ahead of season run-in

Lando Norris fears McLaren has its work cut out to triumph in the battle with Renault in the Formula 1 constructors' championship following the improvements made by the French manufacturer.

McLaren started the season strongly, with Norris taking a podium in the opening race in Austria. Until the most recent race at the Nürburgring, the Briton held fourth in the drivers' standings, with the team third.

But after personally failing to score in the last two races, McLaren has slipped to fourth in the constructors' title race and Norris sixth in the drivers', with the Briton expecting further twists and turns in the remaining six races.

"I think [the season] has been fairly up and down," said Norris. "We had a very good start to the year, we maximised results in the first few races and therefore we had a strong start as a team, on my side especially.

"Renault has come strong towards the middle of the season. I have probably made a couple more mistakes, and some of the tracks haven't suited us as much as they may have done with Renault.

"We are pushing hard to stay in that position but it is not easy at all. One week we can be ahead and the next we can be behind.

"We have to make the most of when we are ahead but also make the most of the times we are behind, and when we are ahead we make sure we can score the bigger points."

McLaren has turned its fortunes around in 2020 following a lengthy slump in form dating back to the 2013 season, with both drivers securing podium finishes this campaign.

Norris believes the increased competition is at least providing an added incentive heading into a race weekend.

"It is nice to go into every weekend with that push, something that motivates you a little bit more," added Norris.

"I am not thinking that this is all I want to go for in the championship and that every weekend my only goal is to maintain position in the championship, but it is something that motivates me to push that little bit harder."

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