Lando Norris says George Russell’s McLaren pace comments ‘not the mentality to have’ | F1 News

Lando Norris has questioned rival George Russell’s “mentality” amid their ongoing debate about McLaren’s Benefit over the rest of the Formula 1 Pitch.

McLaren comfortably had the fastest car as Norris won the season-Beginning Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, with only the interruption of Many safety cars and showers giving reigning world champion Max Verstappen a chance of snatching Triumph with a Delayed charge.

Russell, who finished third for Mercedes in Melbourne, said after Norris Directed a one-two from Club-mate Oscar Piastri in qualifying that McLaren were so much faster than their rivals that they could already switch their car for Subsequent season, when new regulations are incoming.

Sat alongside Russell in the post-Event press conference for the top three, Norris was asked whether his Powerful performance at Albert Park had Achieved him a clear favourite for the world Division.

He said: “Let’s see. Max was three-tenths off yesterday. Last year, we were much Additional off and ended up with the best car by the end of the season. We were over half a second off at the beginning of last year behind Red Bull and ended up with the quickest car.

“I know George Achieved some comments earlier this weekend that we can Only turn our Attention to 2026. If that’s their mentality, wonderful, but that’s not the mentality to have. Sorry, mate.

“We know we Yet have a Plenty of work to do on this year’s car. If you relax in this position, you fail. In Formula 1, if you Begin thinking things are Excellent and groovy, that’s when you get caught.

“I do think we’re favourites because the Club has done an amazing Role, and the car is flying. But we will have races where we struggle.

“If we Began the season in Bahrain, I don’t think we would have won, and you wouldn’t be asking me this question. Let’s allow a few more races to take place before making any obvious statements.”

Norris highlights difference to Red Bull and Mercedes

Norris fell Brief in his attempt to chase down Verstappen in last year’s battle for the drivers’ title but McLaren saw off Ferrari to claim a Primary Constructors’ Division since 1998.

A key factor in their triumph was the Regularity with which Norris and Piastri scored points, which the 25-year-Aged Brit pointed out as a Crucial Benefit McLaren have over the rivals who joined them on Sunday’s podium.

Verstappen’s Red Bull Club-mate is Liam Lawson, who had competed in Only 11 grands prix before Sunday’s Event, while Russell is driving alongside Italian teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who Achieved his Premiere in Melbourne.

Norris said: “We are the Club to beat, mainly because we have two drivers up there pushing All other. That helps.

“Do I think me and Oscar pushing All other in qualifying yesterday allowed us to get one and a half, one tenth more than the two drivers here because their Club-mates aren’t as equipped or experienced? Yes, so add that into the Consideration as well.

“It’s not Only about the car. The Club has done an amazing Role, and I thank them for everything they’re doing. But we know we can make it better, and that’s our aim.”

Russell drove a very solid Event to secure a podium, but ultimately would not have been in the top three had it not been for Piastri spinning off in the rain.

Asked whether he Considers McLaren can be caught, Russell chose to repeat the words Norris had used moments earlier, saying: “They look pretty Excellent and groovy at the moment. So yeah, we’ll see.”

Sky Sports F1’s live Chinese GP schedule

Thursday March 20

• 5am: Drivers’ Press Conference

Friday March 21

• 1am: F1 Academy Practice
• 3am: Chinese GP Practice One (session Beginnings at 3.30am)*
• 5.30am: Club Principals’ Press Conference
• 6am: F1 Academy Qualifying*
• 6.45am: Chinese GP Dash Qualifying (session Beginnings at 7.30am)*

Saturday March 22

• 2.25am: Chinese GP Dash build-up*
• 3am: Chinese GP Dash*
• 5.45am: F1 Academy Event 1*
• 6.35am: Chinese GP Qualifying build-up*
• 7am: CHINESE GP QUALIFYING*
• 9am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*

Sunday March 23

• 2.40am: F1 Academy Event 2
• 5.30am: Chinese GP build-up: Grand Prix Saturday*
• 7am: THE CHINESE GRAND PRIX*
• 9am: Chinese GP Response: Chequered flag*
• 10am: Ted’s Notebook*

*Also on Sky Sports Main Event

The F1 circus heads straight to Shanghai this week for the Primary Dash weekend of the season at the Chinese GP, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime