Norris: 'Massive' P8 qualifying result not a one-off

40

Lando Norris enjoyed an impressive baptism of fire in Melbourne on Saturday, the McLaren rookie qualifying eighth on his F1 debut.

Norris - who admitted he felt nervous at the outset of the session - negotiated each segment without putting a foot wrong.

McLaren extends Coca-Cola partnership for 2019

The McLaren hopeful acknowledged however that he did not expect to reach Q1.

"I was very nervous at the start of the session with it being my first-ever F1 quali and never having been here before," said the 19-year-old.

'I used three sets of softs in Q1, our aim was just to try and get into Q2. And then I did my Q2 lap and I got into Q3. And so I finished eighth in Q3!"

Norris P8 performance brought McLaren its best result since Fernando Alonso's seventh place position achieved in qualifying at Monaco last year.

The feat wasn't lost on Norris, but the young charger conceded that it likely won't happen on every Saturday afternoon.

"I think it’s massive to see that it is possible to do it and we have in some ways moved forwards from last year. Not as much as we need," he added.

"I feel like I really maximised everything, not completely, but to an extent.

"I’ve got a long race ahead of me tomorrow. We do need to do a lot of work to maintain these Q3s.

"Today wasn’t a one-off but it’s not going to happen all the time so I need to make sure I treasure this."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.