"A more complete driver," Norris does not label himself a favorite

The 2024 world vice-champion is seen by many as the favorite for the coming season. McLaren indeed seemed to have a head start on the competition during the recent Bahrain tests. The constructors' title won by the Woking team last year logically makes them one of the teams to beat this year. Questioned ahead of the championship opening in Melbourne, it is a Lando Norris calm and focused who responded. However, the Briton does not want to see himself as the man to beat at the start of the season. He believes that everything could turn out to be closer than expected at Albert Park.

“I feel very calm, relaxed, which is definitely the best thing.”, he explained on the microphone of the official F1 website. “I think I’m ready to go. A lot of people would interpret that as confidence, but I think we have a good car to start the season. I don’t think we’re superior to our main competitors. I know there’s been a lot of discussion about that in recent weeks! I don’t think we’ve increased our lead over the others compared to last year. If observers think that, I don’t agree.”

Norris: "I am a more complete driver"

At 25, the Bristol native is starting a season as a Grand Prix winner for the first time. A four-time winner last year, Norris says these victories give him extra confidence. Long seen as a top driver who struggled to turn things around on Sundays, the Englishman has silenced his critics… and also proven to himself that he has what it takes to succeed at the top of the hierarchy.

“I feel more prepared because I was able to discover a lot of things last year that I had never been able to experience. I'm a more complete driver, I've learned a lot. I'm starting the season in a faster car, and I know I can succeed on Sundays. That doesn't mean I won't make mistakes, of course, but I think I've proven to myself and to others that when everything goes well, with a good car and a good team, I can win. That's our goal this weekend.”

The championship, not yet in mind

Second in the championship last year behind the Red Bull de Max Verstappen, many logically expect Lando Norris to fight for the title this season. As the first Grand Prix of a 24-race season approaches, the driver of the number 4 isn't bothering to think about such things. For him, the three days of the Australian Grand Prix are all that matters for now. There will be plenty of time to think about the championship if his McLaren proves to be up to the task.

"Honestly, it's the first race of the season, I don't even want to think about the championship yet. I want to win, and I'm going to do the best I can. Thinking about winning the title or not won't change my performance this weekend. What matters to me is Friday, practice, qualifying and finally the race on Sunday. It's a waste of time to think about anything else."

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