This is why Norris says his confidence levels are at an all-time high

After taking the second pole position of his career, the confidence level of Lando Norris could not be higher. And why wouldn't they be? It's been a stunning start to the 2024 season, with McLaren showing they are one of the teams to beat on the grid. Norris' maiden victory at the Miami Grand Prix has also revealed that the Brit has the pace and confidence to do battle at the front of the grid, expressed in qualifying at the Spanish Grand Prix, as Norris beat out Max Verstappen by just +0.020s.

There is confidence in Norris' own ability to challenge for race wins for the rest of the 2024 season, but the 24-year-old also acknowledges how good his car is currently and believes this is the best McLaren has ever been.

"Certainly from a team side, absolutely, it is the best the car has been, 100% from a team point of view," said a positive Norris after his P1 in qualifying around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. "I said at the beginning of the season that we were going to win, and we were going to fight against Red Bull and that they weren't going to dominate. They were going to win, but they weren't going to dominate as they had done, and it's turned out exactly to be that which I think is good for everyone, including everyone watching. When the car is good, then you've got to be more confident.

However, there have been missed opportunities for Norris and McLaren to take to the top step of the podium. The Brit finished within a second of Verstappen at Imola as he chased the Dutcman down, and at the Canadian Grand Prix, a poor strategy call meant Norris missed out behind the safety car, allowing Verstappen to win.

"Imola and Canada, I think we should have had a better chance," continued Norris. "We didn't do the best of jobs, but we should have had a better chance, certainly, there have been enough opportunities now to probably fight for a win. We have more to do."