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• Norris has 'emerged from the pack' as main threat to Red Bull, says Horner

  Lando Norris has "emerged from the pack" to represent the main threat to Red Bull, says the team's principal Christian Horner. 

  Alongside reigning champion Max Verstappen, Norris has finished in the top two positions at five of the last six races, including Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix.

  The McLaren driver has also finished in the top four in each of his last six races, as many times as in his previous 15. 

  He has led for a career-high 58 laps this season and his next podium finish will see him match John Watson for 13th place in the charts for all British drivers, with 20.

  Looking back on last week's race in Barcelona, Horner acknowledged Verstappen – who triumphed by 2.219 seconds – was fortunate to make a strong start count.

  "If Lando had track position it would have been difficult to beat him," Horner told Sky Sports News.

  "It was so close between the two of them and they were 18 seconds ahead of the rest. I would say Lando has emerged from the pack as the most consistent challenger.

  "We've had four pole winners in the last four races. It's very, very tight.

  "But Lando I would say, he seems to have worked out these tyres, McLaren have done a great job as well, and they're going to push us hard for the rest of the year."

  Red Bull are on home turf this weekend at the Austrian Grand Prix, for the third sprint race weekend of the season.

  "On such a short lap, it's going to be so tight and we expect McLaren and Lando to be fast again," Horner added.

  "Ferrari and Mercedes? Who knows. If you look at the gap to those guys after the race it was pretty similar to last year. The one who has stepped up is Lando."

• Verstappen would 'look good in silver', says Mercedes chief

  Mercedes chief Ola Kallenius believes Max Verstappen would "look good in silver" as he strongly hinted at the team's continued interest in the Red Bull driver.

  Lewis Hamilton is leaving Mercedes to join Ferrari at the end of the year, though the team are yet to announce who his replacement will be.

  Since Hamilton's announcement, Mercedes have talked up Verstappen, who has a contract with Red Bull until 2028.

  However, rumours have circled the Dutchman's future with the team after legendary designer Adrian Newey announced his departure at the end of the season, with Verstappen, who won the Spanish Grand Prix last weekend, stressing he wants to be in the "right environment" in the fastest car.

  Speaking to Sky Germany, Kallenius once again made his interest in drawing Verstappen over to Mercedes clear.

  "The best driver wants to have the best car. And that's our job, to bring the best package together," Kallenius said.

  "The cards will be reshuffled in 2026. New order with new rules. That's also an opportunity. Who knows?

  "But I think Max would look good in silver, wouldn't he?"

  Despite those comments, Toto Wolff previously confirmed there had been no official talks with Verstappen.

  It is rumoured that 17-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli could be in line to partner George Russell next season, while Verstappen remains an outside target.

• Norris '99% happy' as McLaren continue Verstappen pursuit

  Lando Norris described himself as "99% happy" with where McLaren are in their ongoing pursuit of Max Verstappen, but the Briton is desperate to start cutting into the world champion's lead.

  Verstappen finished two seconds clear of Norris to edge a keenly contested Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, extending his championship advantage to 69 points.

  Norris is taking the fight to the Dutchman, having finished in the top two in five of the last six Formula One races.

  However, he was frustrated not to convert his pole position to a victory in Barcelona, having also fallen just short at the previous race in Canada.

  Norris rued a start to the race which saw him passed by Verstappen and Mercedes’ George Russell, who ultimately finished fourth behind the two championship contenders and team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

  "I should have done better," Norris said after the race, per BBC Sport. 

  "We should have got some points back on Max. Potentially there was a chance to beat him in Canada. Two races I have been second and he has won.

  "But Max needs to stop winning. He is still extending [his lead] at the minute but we cannot afford to let him run away with it. 

  "If I made some better decisions in Canada and had made a better start [in Spain], we would have won two races. We have what it takes; it’s just about putting it all together.

  "I am happy with 99% of things and it is just the 1% - which is a big part of it - wasn’t enough.

  "Two metres I lost out in the beginning and this was enough for Max to be on the inside. If George wasn’t on the outside I could have covered him, but George got a good start and got a perfect slipstream, nothing I can do about that.

  "As soon as you make one mistake, they are going to be ahead."

  Verstappen and Norris both said after the race that the McLaren is currently the fastest car on the track.

  But Norris, who did triumph at the Miami Grand Prix last month, lost crucial ground to Verstappen as he remained behind Russell in the early stages until his compatriot pitted.

  He added: "I got a bad start, simple as that, and then I just couldn’t get past George. The car was incredible and we were for sure the quickest, I just lost it at the beginning. 

  "Lots of positives, one negative and I know that. I can work on it for next time."

  Norris will be back on track soon, with the Austrian Grand Prix and British Grand Prix to follow swiftly as part of a run which sees three races take place in as many weeks, part of the longest season in F1 history.

  He added: "Austria and Silverstone – two of my favourite tracks. We are on a good roll. I just need to tidy up a few bits and then we will be on top."

  The result saw Norris move up to second in the drivers' standings, two points clear of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who had to settle for fifth place in Spain.