![\"Norris](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/XPB_1398229_HiRes.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLando Norris is hungry for more success in 2026. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLando Norris is hungry for more success in 2026. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
The McLaren driver claimed his maiden championship in 2025 after a closely fought three-way battle with teammate Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen, securing the crown by just two points and earning the number one on his car this season.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Speedcafe on Thursday in Melbourne, Norris insisted that being labelled \u201cthe hunted\u201d does not alter his mentality on track, adding his focus remains firmly on performance rather than expectations.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know. I mean, we\u2019ve been the hunter, let\u2019s say, for many, many years. But honestly, I think when you get on track, you\u2019re not either,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou just go out and get the most out of your car and get the most out of me. You certainly don\u2019t think, oh, I\u2019m the hunted now, and something changes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Norris explained that both he and the team continue to operate with a hunter\u2019s mindset, concentrating on extracting the maximum from themselves rather than thinking about external narratives.<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess our mentality as a team is still always to feel like we\u2019re the hunters and get the most out of ourselves, focus on ourselves,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s also the best mentality for myself, is to set the bar up here and never be happy.<\/p>\n
\u201cStill to complain about myself and not be too happy with myself until I\u2019ve achieved what I know I\u2019m capable of achieving.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m still obviously improving in as many areas as I can. I\u2019m still going to come in and say I\u2019m not happy with myself, or I\u2019ve done a bad job if I\u2019ve done a bad job.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, for me, I\u2019ve always treated my own mentality as being the hunter. But I\u2019m wanting to be the best version of myself, and I\u2019ll continue to do it that way.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 26-year-old added that winning his first world title has only intensified his desire to succeed again, rather than allowing him to relax over the off-season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m still just as hungry,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it made me want it more, in a way. You get that feeling, the same as when you win one race, you want another one in a race.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, it was the same feeling with the championship, that one is amazing, but then you definitely want to achieve two.\u201d<\/p>\n
Norris enters 2026 in a season defined by sweeping technical and power unit regulation changes, meaning all teams have effectively started from a clean slate.<\/p>\n
Despite testing suggesting McLaren may not begin as the outright benchmark, Norris remains confident in the squad\u2019s ability to develop across the campaign.<\/p>\n
Even if the team is not immediately at the front, he believes that does not represent a disadvantage.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have good confidence in the team no matter what,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think we\u2019re starting on the back foot. Even if you\u2019re second, third or fourth, quickest, I don\u2019t think that\u2019s on the back foot.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that\u2019s a very good position to start it.\u201d<\/p>\n
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