Lando Norris urges McLaren to stay cautious despite the perfect season start, saying, “It’s just quali, right?"

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Lando Norris secured his first pole position at the Australian Grand Prix qualifying race, edging out teammate Oscar Piastri. This achievement marks McLaren’s first season-opening pole since 2012. Norris urged his team to stay grounded, highlighting the challenging race ahead with potential rain. His composed approach and McLaren’s resurgence are emphasized ahead of the crucial race.

Lando Norris delivered a remarkable performance at the Australian Grand Prix qualifying race, securing his first pole position in Melbourne and his 10th career pole. Despite this impressive achievement, Norris has urged his McLaren team to remain grounded as they prepare for the challenging race ahead.

During the intense qualifying session at Melbourne’s Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit, Norris initially faced a setback when his first Q3 lap was deleted for exceeding track limits at Turn 4. This left him chasing the benchmark time of 1:15.980 set by his teammate Oscar Piastri. However, Norris responded with a brilliant lap of 1:15.096, edging out Piastri by a mere 0.084 seconds and securing pole position. This achievement marks McLaren’s first season-opening pole since Lewis Hamilton’s feat in 2012 and ties the team with Ferrari for the most opening race poles at 12.

“First of all, a big congrats to the team – everyone at McLaren has done an amazing job to continue from where we were at the end of last season, to start with a 1-2.”

He added: “It’s just quali, right? Let’s wait and see tomorrow. I know it’s going to be a tricky race, but today was the perfect way to start.”

Reflecting on the accomplishment, Norris said, “It is a perfect way to start the year, and a big congratulations to the team, everyone has done an amazing job to continue where we were from the end of last season to start with a one-two.” His performance underscores McLaren’s resurgence as a serious contender in the Constructors’ Championship.

Norris acknowledged the difficulty of the session, noting the high-pressure situation after his first lap was deleted. “It is a difficult mindset to get into, but I pulled it off, so I am happy,” he said. His calm and composed approach ultimately helped him secure the pole.

However, Norris remains cautious about the race, especially with rain expected on Sunday. “I am never going to get ahead of myself but I’m confident that the cars are in an excellent position. But we know how quick Max is and Red Bull are in the rain, so let’s wait and see,” he remarked. This measured outlook reflects his awareness of the unpredictable nature of F1 races and the strength of Red Bull in wet conditions.

Also Read: 2025 F1 Australian Grand Prix Qualifying Results: Lando Norris tops the charts as Oscar Piastri’s home dream fades in qualifying

With McLaren locking out the front row and Norris in prime position, the stage is set for an exciting race. The wet weather forecast could introduce additional variables, but Norris’s confidence in his car and team could pave the way for a memorable victory.

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