Norris issues surprising response to ‘favourite’ F1 tag

Lando Norris has responded to the suggestion he is the favourite to take home the F1 drivers' title this season.

McLaren enter the year after triumphing in the constructors' championship over rivals Ferrari last year.

Its strong end-of-year form has left Norris as a title favourite for the upcoming campaign as he seeks to deliver the Woking-based squad its first drivers' title in 17 years.

The Briton has highlighted the pressure of being the bookmaker's favourite for the season ahead will only boost his on-track abilities. 

“I know, coming into this season, for a lot of people I'm the favourite and that the team is the favourite,” Norris told media including RacingNews365.

“A lot of people think that pressure is a bad thing, but for me, it's really the opposite.

“It’s a good thing - I've always done much better under pressure, I’ve been able to think and focus much more under pressure.

“I still get nervous, I feel pressure and I know it's there, but my best performances have often come when that's around.”

Norris ended last year's F1 campaign in the runner-up spot with Max Verstappen clinching his fourth championship.

While the Briton has acknowledged he needs to re-think how he races the Dutchman, Norris asserted Verstappen will not be his only rival this year.

“There is more expectation on me to prove I've stepped it up again from what I did last year. 

“I had a good year but it was clear I needed to improve in many areas, especially in fighting against Max.

“But I'm not just going to be fighting Max this season, I'm going to be fighting this guy on my left [Oscar Piastri] and probably many other drivers.

“I have to make sure I'm ready to fight against everyone, to step it up - I feel ready to do so.”