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".

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