Brawn laudatory towards McLaren and its drivers

Formula 1 managing director Ross Brawn lavished praise on McLaren and drivers Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz after the team's impressive run in Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix.

McLaren confirmed in Spielberg its resurgence and solid position at the head of the mid-field, the Woking-based outfit extending its advantage over Renault in the Constructors' standings thanks to its double top-10 finish in Austria.

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"After years of suffering the team is back on track and has put together a string of results that makes it favourite for the fourth place, which is the most that the ‘normal’ teams can aspire to this year," Brawn said.

"Certainly the fact that on Sunday Honda won as an engine manufacturer for the first time in almost 13 years, might have given them pause for thought, but they can only be pleased about being 20 points ahead of Renault, their own engine supplier’s official team."

While Brawn paid tribute to McLaren for its continued rebound, the F1 chief also underlined the contribution of its drivers.

Norris continued in Spielberg his strong apprenticeship in F1, comfortably racing in the top six throughout the afternoon without ever putting a foot wrong.

Sainz was forced to start his race on the back row following a power unit change grid penalty, but that handicap only spurred on the Spaniard when the lights went off.

Both McLaren drivers got two thumbs up from Brawn.

"The team can also be very pleased with its driver pairing, with Lando Norris definitely the most impressive of the three rookies in the field, with four points finishes and several strong showings in qualifying to his name," added the Brit.

"Carlos Sainz has also proven his worth and last Sunday’s race was probably his best, especially in the light of the fact that, in the race of no retirements, he started from the back row and finished eighth.

"McLaren has scored 52 points in this year’s nine races, which is only ten fewer than it managed in all of 2018 and 22 more than it scored in 2017, which is further evidence of the progress made."

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