Norris Hails Monaco Pole as Huge, But Warns of Risk
Lando Norris says clinching pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix marks a significant turning point in his season and reflects progress after a frustrating run of form.
The McLaren driver described the result as “quite a big thing” and “a step in the right direction” as he continues to chase consistency and regain confidence in qualifying.
Norris trails his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri by 13 points in the championship standings.
While Piastri has secured four wins and three poles this season, Norris had just one win and no poles since the opening round in Australia—until now.
“To call it a breakthrough, I need to back this up with consistent results,” Norris said. “It’s certainly a step forward, and I’m happy with that.
But to really feel I’ve turned the corner, I need to perform like this at the next few races—Barcelona, Canada, and beyond.”
Norris edged out Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by just 0.109 seconds in a tense qualifying session.
The pole position changed hands between the two during the final laps, with Norris ultimately claiming it on his second flying lap after a cool-down period on track.
He credited his improvement to a combination of car setup tweaks specific to Monaco’s unique layout and his own efforts to better manage risk and composure during qualifying.
“It’s not just about being quicker—it’s about being smarter and more consistent in Q3.
I’ve struggled to put it all together lately, but today was the first time since Australia I truly did.”
Norris admitted recent months had been mentally challenging. “I never doubted my ability, but it’s been frustrating.
You can’t be happy when you’re not performing how you know you can.
That’s why today means so much—it validates the work I’ve been putting in.”
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella praised Norris’ performance, calling it “phenomenal” and “an important step in the process.”
He believes the result will boost Norris’ confidence but insists there is still more to come.
However, Sunday’s race may not follow Monaco’s usual script, where pole sitters typically cruise to victory.
This year, a new rule requiring at least two pit stops is expected to shake up strategies, adding unpredictability to a circuit known for its processional races.
Stella warned that this change poses a “material threat” to McLaren’s chances, especially with the possibility of safety cars, red flags, and intra-team tactics influencing the outcome.
“We’re preparing for a much more complex race scenario than usual,” he said.
Norris is aware that turning pole into victory won’t be straightforward, but for now, he’s taking encouragement from finally delivering a flawless Saturday.
“It might be a small step or a big one, but it’s a step—and that’s what I needed.”
Norris Hails Monaco Pole as Huge, But Warns of Risk