Lando Norris admits he doesn't want to go another five years without challenging for a world championship as McLaren struggles to compete.
The Brit enjoyed his best result of the season last time out, finishing fourth in Austria, but prior to that had been battling in the midfield. McLaren's package currently can't challenge the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari or Aston Martin with Red Bull out in front.
Norris, who has risen through the ranks with the Woking outfit, has been tipped as a future world champion but has never been given a car capable of challenging. He's registered five podiums, finishing second once, but doesn't want to be a driver who can't challenge for wins.
He said: “This has been my toughest season. I have been on the rise and felt that glory and the podiums and then it drops off to the worst it has been for me. I want to win so much, but at the same time, it feels so far away. Everyone puts in the effort, and when I am not close to fighting for points, it takes a lot out of me.
"I don’t get anything out of it and it hurts. And when I think I have been in F1 for five seasons, I feel like ‘damn’. Five years have gone by so quickly and before I know it I will have been here for 10. I don’t want to be in this position then.”
Norris is seen as a generational talent but compared to other drivers in his age group, namely George Russell and Charles Leclerc, is behind the eight ball. The aforementioned duo have won races and are with teams that are likely to provide them with winning packages going forward.
The McLaren man doesn't have that guarantee and has vented his frustration in the past. He's also seen former team-mate Carlos Sainz leave for Ferrari and claim his first race win. Norris conceded he continues to track potential opportunities and does ponder what could happen elsewhere.
He confessed: “You always monitor things. Every driver on the grid does. And I do think sometimes, ‘What would happen if I was in this position or that position?’ But I am not the guy who wastes time thinking about it, or wishing for something else. I have kind of got to a point where I am just very happy to keep my head down.
“When the time comes and something happens then something happens, but I don’t get carried away with any of that, as much as I daydream about things in life like everyone does.”
