Lando Norris said that his pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix was a “step in the right direction” and “fairly large” after being unhappy with its form since the start of this season.
The driver of McLaren travels the 13 -point Oscar Piastri equivalent in the championship after the four victories of the Australian in Norris.
The post was the first in Norris since the Australian Grand Prix at the start of the season, while Piastri took three.
Norris said: “To classify it as a breakthrough, you also need the consistency of the results.
“I can look at him in both directions. It is a breakthrough which I had a good Saturday. For me, it is at least a step in the right direction, which I am very, very happy.
“But it’s a weekend. Coherence is also a large part, and I will be happier if I know and that I can arrive at this point where I am confident in each session that I can play as I did today, because I think my performance was at a very, very strong level.
“If I enter Barcelona and Canada and in the next races and I can play at this level, that’s my goal.
But it is certainly today a step in the right direction, whether it is a small step or a big step, it’s a step and that’s all I need for the moment. “”
Norris beat Charles Leclerc de Ferrari by 0.109 seconds in an exciting session in Monaco, while the post exchanged between Norris and the Mongasque on their races.
Leclerc did a voting tour, while McLaren chose to make two, remaining on the right track but cooling their tires between the two. Norris took the post, Leclerc snatched him from him, before the Briton grabbed him again.
Norris worked hard to improve his qualification performance this season, after explaining that he had trouble trusting the McLaren car enough to be able to take it regularly at the qualification limit.
Asked to explain his step forward, he said: “Things from the car, just by being Monaco and a very different arrangement, a very different type of driving style that is necessary here. It is much more risk commitment rather than absolute automobile balance, in a way.
“And also things I work on to improve, to do a better job.
“Never because I haven’t had the pace – just more than I never assembled it to come. Today was probably the first time since Australia that I really put everything together.
“It is not as if I was driving faster, it is because I drive better, in a more intelligent way.
“But there was a lot of work that took place. For me, even if I was the post in any other piece, I think it would probably have been the post that is most significant for me.
“It probably means even more in Monaco, but more because of what has happened in the last two months. It may not seem much, but for me, it is a fairly important thing. So, yes, as I said, a very, very good time.”
He said he always believed that he would reach the problem.
“I don’t think I have ever doubted what I can do,” said Norris. “I am frustrated. I was unhappy, because it is normal if you do not win, don’t make a post, you are not going to be happy, especially when this is where you should be. This is what the objective is.
“Of course, I had these moments, but I certainly never doubted this year of what I am able to do and have a day like today all this, so I’m happy with that.”
