McLaren wants Lando Norris to be given time to settle in as he prepares for his rookie season on the Formula 1 grid.
The 19-year-old had a rapid rise up the motorsport ladder, winning in European F3 before finishing second in F2 last year, and at McLaren, having only joined their young driver program at the start of 2017.
During his association with the British team, Norris has impressed highly in testing and during practice sessions but now he has to produce the goods when it matters up against the very best.
“I do think Formula 1 can be a pretty cruel environment,” McLaren CEO Zak Brown said to Racer.
“If you look at [Charles] Leclerc, I remember there was commentary I think after the first two or three races of [last year] whether he should still be in F1, and now he’s driving for Ferrari.
“So I think what we need to do is manage expectations, not after three races pass judgment — which we as a sport are always pretty quick to do.
“(Norris) clearly is extremely talented. We’ve seen him in our race car a good amount now and what we need to do is nurture him, manage expectations internally and externally, and give him the equipment to show his talent.”
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Brown also played down any additional pressure on Norris to contribute towards McLaren’s recovery after a baron period of results, with teammate Carlos Sainz expected to lead the team initially.
“I think there have certainly been rookie drivers that have come into teams in high-pressure environments, whether that was pressure to continue to deliver because the team’s already winning races or pressure to help us on the journey of recovery,” the American said, citing Lewis Hamilton as an example of the former.
“(But) I think it’s first and foremost the responsibility of McLaren to get us back to our winning ways.”