Sainz Predicts ‘Rocket’ McLaren to Help Norris Enjoy a Dominant Weekend in Baku

McLaren’s Lando Norris has enjoyed incredible consistency since the start of the season, having missed out on a Top 5 finish only once. What’s more, the Briton has already bagged 2 podium trophies in 5 races at Imola and Monaco.

Considering Norris’ form and McLaren’s blistering pace, his former teammate, Carlos Sainz, reckoned that the 21-year-old could yet again deliver a strong show at the approaching race weekend in Baku.

What did the ex-McLaren driver say?

Ahead of the weekend in Monaco, Norris claimed that Sainz possessed a car that is fast enough to clinch his first F1 race win, adding more pressure on the Spaniard.

Hence, during the post-race press conference in Monaco, Sainz chose to return the favor to Norris by claiming that McLaren looks like a perfect fit for Baku.

“I think the one that now should be excited about Baku is my friend Lando Norris, here on my left. He has a… bit of a rocket on the straight. And the car was definitely not bad last year in Monza, not bad around Monaco,” he said.

“So maybe I will bet for you. He put me under pressure coming into this weekend saying that I might have the chance to win. You were right of course. Now let’s see if I’m right in Baku,” Sainz added.

Lando Norris not keeping his hopes high

The Briton opined that McLaren might not be able to replicate Monaco’s success in Baku, considering the presence of the much faster Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes.

“We’ll see. These guys [Sainz and Verstappen] are quick on the straights… You need some good straight-line speed, you need good confidence on the brakes with that lower downforce. But we’ll see,” he said.

Norris currently stands in an astonishing P3 on the driver’s table by the end of 5 rounds. Of course, it looks quite impossible for him to hold on to P3 until the end of this season.

However, if Valtteri Bottas’ poor run of luck and Sergio Perez’s struggles at Red Bull continue to haunt them, Norris might have a shot at getting his first Top-3 finish in F1. Hence, will the future pan out perfectly for the young British lad?

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