Lando Norris has set his sights on retaining his Formula One world championship, declaring that defending his maiden title is 'absolutely the goal' for the upcoming season. The British driver clinched his first crown in December, edging out Red Bull's Max Verstappen and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri in a thrilling Abu Dhabi finale.
Speaking at the Autosport Awards in London, where he was named British Competition Driver of the Year, Norris admitted that winning the championship has boosted his confidence. 'When you win one, it certainly gives you a lot more confidence,' he said. 'I have never been one to have the most confidence in myself but I certainly have more of it now.'
The 26-year-old revealed that his belief in his ability to win grew during the middle of last season. 'I had the people around me, the team, the car, and my own ability to go out and win the championship,' he explained. 'That's the first time I have had that belief in myself and it turned out to be the correct thing to have.'
Norris has not rewatched his title-clinching moment, preferring to step away from the sport. 'I have honestly tried to be as far from everything as possible and just enjoying the rest of my life,' he said. Balancing his professional and personal life, he added: 'I love Formula One, I also love being away from it. You have one life and I want to try and enjoy as many things as possible.'
McLaren will begin testing their new car at a private session in Barcelona next week, starting on day two or three of the five-day test. Team principal Andrea Stella explained the strategy: 'We wanted to give ourselves as much time as possible for development.' The season opens in Australia on March 8, following pre-season tests in Bahrain.
