McLaren's Lando Norris said he was able to learn something from racing against the Mercedes pair of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas in Austria. Having started from the front row, Norris enjoyed a good scrap with Hamilton. Ultimately losing that fight with the reigning Champion, Norris fell behind Bottas at the pit stops due to a time penalty, but was able to get back past Hamilton as the Mercedes struggled with damage. Hamilton could be heard on the radio saying 'Lando. Such a great driver," and his compatriot appreciated the comments. "I don’t know what to say. I mean it was tough, it wasn’t easy like the whole of the first stint I think both Mercs were quicker than me which was not a surprise," Norris told the media after the race. "Something [which] I was expecting but to hold them off as well as we did was a little bit of a surprise and for that long into the race. But it was like it was the first time I’ve really raced against him and you know you get to learn how he drives and how he races as well as learning from Valtteri and how he approaches things and when there are risks taken and things like that." Norris said it was a surprising moment for him when he realised that he was actually able to fight the two Mercedes drivers and keep up with them, and said it was strange to see that there was an element of fallibility to their driving. "Like, as much as I appreciate the kind words it’s not like he was driving perfectly," Norris said. "There were still times he ran wide out of Turn 1 or made a mistake in Turn 3. "It’s not like they’re not raceable; you kind of get there and when you have the car to perform and do well, you realise you have a chance against them. It’s hard to ever say that until you’re actually racing against them and your car’s there and you’re going head-to-head. "Normally, they’re way too far ahead of me so… It was cool, it’s a good feeling to race against not just Lewis but Valtteri as well and Max and Sergio, to be in that pack and say we’re fighting for a podium because our pace is just that good, was a really good feeling.
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