McLaren backed for podium challenge at Imola by ex-F1 champ

Former Formula 1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi has said that both Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo could have the potential to finish on the podium this weekend at Imola.

The first European race of the season takes place this weekend and it also sees the return of Sprint, which means more racing action and more points on offer.

One of the Sprint events last season set up McLaren’s most successful weekend in 2021, too, with Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris securing a one-two at the Italian Grand Prix.

A similar result, given the pace of Ferrari and Red Bull, might be hard to see at the moment but, undoubtedly, the car looked stronger in Australia and the hope has to be that they can keep building on that for the races to come.

That said, then, Fittipaldi is of the opinion that the two men could have the potential to challenge to be inside the top three come the Grand Prix on Sunday.

Speaking to Vegas Insider, Fittipaldi said:

“Both Mercedes and McLaren know how to work within the new rules. In terms of mechanical grip, they improved a lot. The engine has also improved quite a lot.

“Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo are going to be strong again. Without a doubt.

“They have the potential to be on the podium in Imola.”

McLaren would certainly be delighted with that result, though you can imagine they will be tempering expectations a little more, given they still feel as though there is a lot of work to do.

Of course, they seem to be in better shape than where they were in Bahrain in particular, but Ferrari and Red Bull have shown that they have the performance advantage as it stands, and so they are the teams that must be in McLaren’s sights for the coming races.

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