Lando Norris has questioned rival George Russell’s “mentality” amid their ongoing debate about McLaren’s benefit over the remainder of the Components 1 discipline.
McLaren comfortably had the quickest automobile as Norris gained the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, with solely the interruption of a number of security vehicles and showers giving reigning world champion Max Verstappen an opportunity of snatching victory with a late cost.
Russell, who completed third for Mercedes in Melbourne, stated after Norris led a one-two from team-mate Oscar Piastri in qualifying that McLaren have been a lot sooner than their rivals that they may already swap their automobile for subsequent season, when new rules are incoming.
Sat alongside Russell within the post-race press convention for the highest three, Norris was requested whether or not his sturdy efficiency at Albert Park had made him a transparent favorite for the world championship.
He stated: “Let’s have a look at. Max was three-tenths off yesterday. Final yr, we have been a lot additional off and ended up with the perfect automobile by the top of the season. We have been over half a second off firstly of final yr behind Pink Bull and ended up with the quickest automobile.
Lando Norris and George Russell within the post-race press convention after ending first and third respectively
“I do know George made some feedback earlier this weekend that we are able to simply flip our focus to 2026. If that is their mentality, great, however that is not the mentality to have. Sorry, mate.
“We all know we nonetheless have a whole lot of work to do on this yr’s automobile. For those who calm down on this place, you fail. In Components 1, should you begin considering issues are good and groovy, that is once you get caught.
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Three-time W Sequence champion Jamie Chadwick shares her opinions on all of the speaking factors from the Australia Grand Prix.
“I do suppose we’re favourites as a result of the group has accomplished an incredible job, and the automobile is flying. However we can have races the place we battle.
“If we began the season in Bahrain, I do not suppose we might have gained, and also you would not be asking me this query. Let’s enable just a few extra races to happen earlier than making any apparent statements.”
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The most effective of the motion from the primary race of the 2025 Components One season on the Australian Grand Prix.
Norris highlights distinction to Pink Bull and Mercedes
Norris fell quick in his try and chase down Verstappen in final yr’s battle for the drivers’ title however McLaren noticed off Ferrari to assert a primary Constructors’ Championship since 1998.
A key issue of their triumph was the consistency with which Norris and Piastri scored factors, which the 25-year-old Brit identified as a significant benefit McLaren have over the rivals who joined them on Sunday’s podium.
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Watch all 4 moments rookie’s Isack Hadjar, Jack Doohan, Liam Lawson and Gabriel Bortoleto crashed out of the Australian Grand Prix.
Verstappen’s Pink Bull team-mate is Liam Lawson, who had competed in simply 11 grands prix earlier than Sunday’s race, whereas Russell is driving alongside Italian teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who made his debut in Melbourne.
Norris stated: “We’re the group to beat, primarily as a result of we now have two drivers up there pushing one another. That helps.
“Do I believe me and Oscar pushing one another in qualifying yesterday allowed us to get one and a half, one tenth greater than the 2 drivers right here as a result of their team-mates aren’t as outfitted or skilled? Sure, so add that into the equation as effectively.
“It is not simply in regards to the automobile. The group has accomplished an incredible job, and I thank them for the whole lot they’re doing. However we all know we are able to make it higher, and that is our goal.”
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Following the Aurstalian GP, Max Verstappen was requested about his relationship with George Russell after the 2 fell out final season.
Russell drove a really strong race to safe a podium, however finally wouldn’t have been within the high three had it not been for Piastri spinning off within the rain.
Requested whether or not he thinks McLaren might be caught, Russell selected to repeat the phrases Norris had used moments earlier, saying: “They give the impression of being fairly good and groovy for the time being. So yeah, we’ll see.”
Sky Sports F1’s live Chinese GP schedule
Thursday March 20
- 5am: Drivers’ Press Convention
Friday March 21
- 1am: F1 Academy Observe
- 3am: Chinese language GP Observe One (session begins at 3.30am)*
- 5.30am: Staff Principals’ Press Convention
- 6am: F1 Academy Qualifying*
- 6.45am: Chinese language GP Dash Qualifying (session begins at 7.30am)*
Saturday March 22
- 2.25am: Chinese language GP Dash build-up*
- 3am: Chinese language GP Dash*
- 5.45am: F1 Academy Race 1*
- 6.35am: Chinese language GP Qualifying build-up*
- 7am: CHINESE GP QUALIFYING*
- 9am: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book*
Sunday March 23
- 2.40am: F1 Academy Race 2
- 5.30am: Chinese language GP build-up: Grand Prix Saturday*
- 7am: THE CHINESE GRAND PRIX*
- 9am: Chinese language GP response: Chequered flag*
- 10am: Ted’s Pocket book*
*Additionally on Sky Sports activities Important Occasion
The F1 circus heads straight to Shanghai this week for the primary Dash weekend of the season on the Chinese language GP, stay on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
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