believes ’s tag as clear favourites is being exaggerated because the Brit seemed to dampen expectations forward of the brand new season.
The McLaren driver, who completed runner-up to final yr, is the title this yr following McLaren’s constructors’ championship victory in 2024.
The optimistic feeling across the papaya-clad outfit additionally stems from a in Bahrain, significantly Norris’s spectacular race-run on day two.
But Norris seemed to downplay McLaren’s favourites tag, when requested forward of the season-opening in Melbourne this weekend.
“That’s what everybody says [about being favourites], however it was simply my one race run which everybody appears to be like at, however it was in excellent circumstances,” Norris stated.
“I’m fairly stunned so many individuals are so short-sighted, particularly folks you wouldn’t anticipate to be… making so many conclusions earlier than we’ve even began the season.
“Everybody simply desires to play that recreation of trying just like the underdog and taking part in it down. We simply concentrate on ourselves, it’s good so many individuals are speaking about us – it’s nice publicity for us.”
Norris gained 4 races in 2024 as McLaren beat Ferrari to the constructors’ championship by 14 factors. Nonetheless, the driving force trailed Verstappen ultimately by 63 factors.
“It makes no distinction,” he added, concerning the favorite tag. “If I am going out this weekend and do a nasty job, who cares what folks stated previously.
“I don’t consider it, we’re in an identical taking part in area to the opposite prime three groups.
“Different groups seemed very sturdy [in testing], I understand how a lot gas Ferrari had. Folks can speak all they need. We wish to be fast and up there preventing. However I don’t assume by the margin that everybody says.”
As for Verstappen, he admits there are a “few areas” Pink Bull have to work on after slumping to 3rd total final yr.
“We’ll discover out this weekend, we’ll attempt to do our greatest,” the Dutchman stated.
“Testing is just not so many days, there are a couple of areas we are able to work on and we’ll proceed to take action.
“Naturally there’s an enchancment however there’s issues we wish to enhance on, it is a totally different monitor to Bahrain. We aren’t the quickest in the intervening time however it’s a really lengthy season.”
The primary race of the season takes place on Sunday, 4am GMT.
