Norris delivers 'calm down' advice after early F1 pressure question

Lando Norris has urged everyone "to calm down" following his season-opening victory in the Australian Grand Prix that has led many to believe he will walk away with this year's F1 drivers' title.

McLaren displayed an incredible advantage in the dry qualifying conditions, with the front row of Norris and team-mate Oscar Piastri finishing four-tenths of a second clear of Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who lined up third on the grid.

In the wet conditions on race day, McLaren and Norris maintained their composure that allowed the Briton to claim victory, and bring the curtain down on an astonishing Verstappen record for the number of consecutive days for leading the championship.

It means for the first time in his F1 career, Norris leads the way at the top of the standings

First time leading the championship, extra pressure

"Nope. It makes no difference for me at the minute. I'm not thinking about it. I don't really care about it. It shouldn't change anything I do. It shouldn't change what the team does.

"I had one good weekend. People need to calm down a little bit. I stay focused, and I try and do the same here this weekend. I probably won't even think of the championship until at least halfway through the year."

Norris - We can do better

It proved to be a perfect weekend for Norris as he secured F1's 'grand chelem' - pole position, fastest lap, and leading every lap en route to victory.

Naturally, Norris is refusing to rest on any laurels, declaring to McLaren that, "I'm hoping we can do better, and I'm hoping it can be a bit easier".

As to where it could be better, he said: "As a driver, you’re always at the limit of your car and what your car can do, so you’re always trying to look at places to improve. I guess I’m trying to look at things I can do better.

"My start was good - it wasn’t perfect - but it was clear where I lost some of my performance in the launch.

"And then, just from a car point of view, the car is performing well, but it’s still extremely difficult to drive. We know in certain conditions, like in the wettest conditions, Max was just as quick as us. In dry conditions, we were a bit better.

"So [it is about] just making the car a little bit more predictable and a little bit more comfortable.

"But it’s at a good point. I can’t complain about the whole thing. It’s at a good level, but between Oscar and myself, there are things that we both comment on which gives the guys and girls back in the factory a clear direction on what we want to improve.

"The car’s great, but we always want more."