Norris outlines 'realistic' goal for McLaren in 2023

Lando Norris feels that McLaren have to be "realistic" about their goal for 2023 after some difficulties in the previous year.

The team faced a tough start to the 2022 campaign following issues at pre-season testing, and went on to lose out to Alpine in the battle for fourth place in the Constructors' Championship.

Norris – who has a contract with the squad until the end of 2025 – believes that McLaren need to focus on taking another step in the season ahead while remaining pragmatic about where they are.

"I think I knew where we were several years ago and I knew where we could end up in those several years, and now [in] a couple of years," Norris told media, including RacingNews365.com.

"So I think from where we are now, a realistic year and a successful year would be [good], to still take some big steps forward. I think we're ambitious and we still want to do that.

"But no matter how we start the season – I want to believe it's going to be better than last year, because last year was a very tough start – but a year where we can get back to fighting for the top of the midfield confidently, that's something which shifted away from us a bit last year.

"Aston [Martin had] some very good performances and considerably better at times. Alpine, obviously, beating us and taking that spot [in the Constructors']."

Norris outlines goal for McLaren

Norris hopes that McLaren can work towards being the closest team to the top three of Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes in 2023.

"We need to be the team that's leading the way in the fight to the top three teams," the Briton explained.

"If we can at least end this season around that spot, around that place where we're fighting for the fourth constructor and we're leading the way to the top three, then I think that's what we need to be happy with.

"[It's] still ambitious, we have a lot of work to do in order to achieve it, but I think it's a realistic goal.

"I don't think you can expect us to be on par with Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes at this time. We still have a long way to get to that point, so we'll see."