MELBOURNE, Australia — Lando Norris begins his defense of the Formula 1 world championship on Sunday at Albert Park where the Australian Grand Prix will kick off the season.
Norris, who won last year’s championship for McLaren by a mere two points over Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is confident entering the new season.
He carries confidence into the new season despite a change in car and regulations for the new year.
“Certainly. I’ve got good confidence in myself which is a nice way to start the season, and confidence in the team,” Norris began on Thursday. “I think we probably don’t have the same level of confidence in our outright speed compared to what we had at the beginning of last year, but we’re confident in our ability over the course of a season to get back to where we want to be. It’s not like we’re coming here and we’re confident we’re going to win.
“We know in past years, especially two or three years ago, the amount we’ve been able to turn things around in a season where it’s all about development, bringing upgrades, learning more about the car, being efficient – that was one of our biggest strengths over the last few years.”
The British driver said there’s certainly no room to panic if the first couple of races do not go McLaren’s way.
“We’ll just take it easy no matter where we finish here or China, or in the first few races of the season,” he said. “We’re confident that through the year, we’ll be able to get back to where we really want [to be], and that’s something we’ll look forward to.”
Having won the championship, Norris believes he carries more confidence into the new campaign.
“I’m happy, I’m confident,” he said. “I come into this season understanding and knowing I’m in a different position because of last year. I feel better about things and more confident in myself, but other than that, really nothing changes.
“It doesn’t give me any other advantage really. The rest of it is still down to hard work, good teamwork, developing a good car, and me performing every weekend. That’s got nothing to do with me having the number 1 on my car or not. I’ve still got to go out there and give it my all every single session, every lap, so that’s what I’m working to do.”
