"Nothing to celebrate" - Lando Norris on low-key preps for Chinese Grand Prix

SHANGHAI–British Formula One driver Lando Norris may hold the lead of the world championship after the opening round in Melbourne but says the victory was "nothing to celebrate about."

Speaking ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, the McLaren F1 race-winner said he and the team are all-in on the fight for the drivers' title in what is set to be a hotly-contested season.

"I actually went to Taiwan for a few days," said Norris.

"Just relaxing and recovering, getting ready. Nothing to celebrate about, just a few days to get ready for round two."

Norris and Australian teammate Oscar Piastri dominated the field in early running during the Australian Grand Prix before both drivers had a moment in the changing conditions, losing control and fighting to return to the circuit.

Norris returned to the track and was able to convert his lead into a race victory, but it was much closer than he and the team would have hoped given their pace.

"I'm hoping we can do better, and I'm hoping it can be a bit easier."

"I think we had a great race. Our gap to our competitors half way through the race was, you know, 15 seconds or something."

"We're hopeful. It's a different weekend, so I wouldn't say we're confident that things are going to be exactly like they were."

While McLaren had the clear advantage in Australia, teams will be hot on their heels in the final year of the current F1 regulations if the 2024 competition was anything to go by.

Red Bull was the dominant team at the beginning of the year, before mid-season spells from Aston Martin, and then Ferrari. But it was McLaren who found their feet as the season progressed, able to take the constructors' title and challenge Max Verstappen for the drivers' crown.

"I expect a bit more competition from Ferrari this weekend," said Norris.

"And we saw how quick Red Bull have been, so clearly, they’re not out of it. They’re just as fast. I think when things are perfect, like they were in qualifying, we have an advantage, but they’re certainly not far behind."

"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."

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