Expect an Even Better Norris

Achievements last season give McLaren driver belief he can challenge for F1 title

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MELBOURNE - Lando Norris said his confidence is sky-high after McLaren's first constructors' title in 26 years last season, with the team hungrier than ever to add the drivers' championship to their trophy cabinet.

The Briton came tantalisingly close to dethroning Red Bull's Max Verstappen as world champion in 2024, and is widely expected to be battling at the front of the grid again this campaign.

"It's motivated everyone even more from a team perspective," he said of the constructors' crown.

"The team got their first chance in 26 years to experience what it's like to win a championship and I think it's made them hungrier now that they know what it's like.

"I think it's good to acknowledge as a whole team that there will be more expectation now, more eyes, more pressure, more competitors trying to bring you down."

McLaren were among the quickest at pre-season testing in Bahrain, with Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri looking to lay down a marker at the season-opening race in Melbourne this weekend.