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Lando Norris admits he didn't expect to have such high confidence levels after his first half-season in Formula 1.
The 19-year-old made his F1 debut earlier this year at the Australian Grand Prix with McLaren, when he admits he was feeling more nervous compared to now.
Since his maiden race, the Briton has picked up five top-ten finishes, including two sixth-place finishes at Bahrain and Austria.
McLaren currently sits fourth in the championship standings, however Norris doesn't believe the team has the fourth-fastest car - but states that it is performing more efficiently compared to 2018.
“I don’t think we thought we would be as [we are]," Norris said, quoted by Motorsport Week. "I don’t think we are still completely the fourth fastest car, but I think the team are doing a very good job.
“The pit stops, the starts, all areas that we weren’t so good in last year, they’ve improved a lot for this year, and we’re generally better than a lot of the teams.
“That side has been much stronger, and that has helped us be as good as we are in terms of the constructors’ and so on, it’s got us a lot of points, so a big thanks to all of the guys for working on those areas. It’s been a big help.
“From my side, I didn’t think I’d be as confident as I am now in this part of the season already, or halfway through.
“From how nervous I was in the beginning of the season in Australia, I’m a lot more confident, a lot more knowledgeable with what I need to do and not do and so on with what I need to do and not do and so on. We’re getting there.”
Norris is currently 10th in the drivers' championship, 34 points down on teammate Carlos Sainz, who holds the 'best of the rest' seventh spot in the standings.
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
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Replies (2)
Login to replyPistonhead
Posts: 556
Hugely impressed by this guy - expect McLaren will be wanting to tie him into a long deal.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Any sane team would. Him and Albon are both very mature and skilled sportsmen, and now that we've got Albon in a RBH, I long to see them battle it out!