Norris candidly admits that it is 'impossible' to put odds on a Monaco Grand Prix win

21:07, 24 May

Updated: 21:09, 24 May

byToby Nixon

Lando Norris has admitted that predicting his winning chances in Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix is 'impossible'. The Brit stated that he would prefer to enjoy his record-breaking lap time before winding down and focussing on the mandatory two-stop race.

Norris set the fastest lap ever at the iconic Monte Carlo street circuit on Saturday with a 1.09.954. The McLaren driver pulled an impressive lap out of the bag after a session-long battle with Ferrari's home hero Charles Leclerc and his teammate Oscar Piastri.

'Impossible' for Norris to put a number on Monaco Grand Prix winning chances

When asked if he could put his winning chances into percentage terms, the British driver was brutally honest. "I have no idea. Four? It's impossible to put a number on it, especially here and more so probably in the past than going into a new-rule race tomorrow. I would have felt like a higher number if it was last year's rules, but obviously this year, things have changed," he began.

"Again, my only focus until this point has been qualifying. So, I’ve not thought about the race. I don’t need to until later with the team. For now, I'm enjoying the moment of the laps that I did," the Brit stated after the conclusion of the session.

Norris was pictured celebrating pole position in the Monaco pitlane

Norris respects the 'good grid' just behind him

The Brit was also asked about his confidence levels in qualifying. Before coming into this weekend, Norris admitted that Saturdays were an area that he needed to improve in. He showed that today, stating that he felt reasonably confident.

"I mean, (I'm) never going to be full of it when Charles has been quickest in every session, but I think we were always there or thereabouts. I always knew that I could push a little bit more in a few places and gain some lap time, but I definitely think going into qualifying, I started to just unlock more and more, and I was gaining more confidence through quali. And that's exactly what you want around here, improve confidence through the session.

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"Especially in Q3, when I've just done two strong laps. Obviously, good bankers just give you that reassurance that you can then go a little bit more the next time around. But it's not just these two – it's Charles, Oscar, Max has been fast, Lewis has been quick. So, yeah, it's a good grid. It's a good competition from everyone, so it always makes it a little bit better."