Lando Norris expressed concerns about McLaren's position in the Formula 1 development race, stating that the team is "three months behind" its rivals. As they aim to return to the front, the reigning two-time constructors' champions find themselves trailing Mercedes by 143 points, with the latter winning seven out of the first eight races this season.

Despite regular updates to the car, including two revisions introduced at the recent Austrian Grand Prix, Norris emphasized that overcoming the gap requires more than just isolated improvements. He stated:

"One good upgrade, no [is not enough]. We need three, four, five... We're like two, three months behind. That's not one upgrade; that's a lot of bits."

Norris, currently fifth in the Drivers' Championship standings, acknowledged that catching up is a significant challenge but believes it is achievable with the team's ongoing efforts and motivation.

Oscar Piastri, Norris's teammate, finished fourth in Austria, with Norris coming in seventh, indicating that both drivers have only secured two podiums each this season.

Andrea Stella, McLaren's team principal, confirmed the necessity for improvement, noting:

"We know from our side that we miss probably three, four tenths of a second [a lap]."

With the current regulations allowing teams to discover substantial performance gains, Stella remains hopeful that McLaren can close the gap and challenge for victories later in the season. He hinted at the potential for other teams to emerge as competition, stating:

"It's still a long way to go in the championship and the mission for McLaren is very clear - we want to be that team."

As the season progresses, McLaren aims to replicate their previous successes and establish themselves once again as a formidable force in Formula 1.