Lando Norris celebrates winning the first race of the season in Australia (Image: The Associated Press)
Lando Norris has confessed that last year he was grappling with confidence issues, but now he’s brimming with self-assurance as he aims for a maiden F1 championship success. Following his triumph at a tumultuous Australian Grand Prix under torrential conditions, the Brit finds himself leading the pack as they gear up for China’s next race weekend. This victory not only bags Norris his first stint at the top of the drivers’ standings but also concludes Verstappen’s 63-race reign. Post-race, the ace acknowledged that with this early lead, he ought to be viewed as the title frontrunner.
Last season saw Norris fall short in his quest to topple Verstappen, marred by mishaps. Yet Norris approaches the renewed clash with a rejuvenated demeanour, having edged out Verstappen by a slender 0.8 seconds at Albert Park. “I feel like I have come into this season more calm and more relaxed than I normally am,” shared Norris after securing his fifth career win. “I have a little bit of confidence, not too much of it but I lacked confidence last season.
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“Now I have a good balance of confidence and the knowledge that I can go out and do well when I have got to do it. I have got faith in myself and that is a nice thing to have because it keeps me calm and when I am calm, I am quick and when I am quick, I can win.”
In a dramatic turn of events at the Melbourne Grand Prix, were poised for a stunning one-two finish, until Oscar Piastri’s off-road excursion in intensifying rain ruined their chances.
With Fernando Alonso’s crash prompting a safety car on lap 34, Norris had a substantial lead over Verstappen, who lamented ‘s performance by saying: “Finishing second is good compared to the other teams behind us but if you look back at the first stint of the race we were quite a bit off the pace.
“As soon as the tyres started to overheat, we had no chance and just took off into the distance. We still have a lot of work to do to fight for a win.”