MELBOURNE, Australia — Lando Norris says it is “short-sighted” to believe McLaren has a clear advantage over its rivals to start the Formula One season, instead anticipating a four-team fight at the front.

Lando Norris says he is “not happy” or “confident” with his McLaren F1 car despite appearing to make a strong start at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. The Briton topped first practice in Melbourne and ended up third-quickest in the second session, just over a tenth adrift of Charles Leclerc ’s pacesetting Ferrari.

Lando Norris acknowledges that McLaren start the Formula 1 season as favourites but says the view among his rivals is "short-sighted".

Lando Norris has downplayed suggestions McLaren is the team to beat ahead of the new Formula 1 season, saying rivals including Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes looked "extremely strong" in testing.

Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve says Lando Norris was the only driver in the field last season who could step up to Max Verstappen