Norris admits to "not focussing as much as I should" at times as F1 rookie

After completing his first season in Formula 1, McLaren driver Lando Norris admits he was at times "too jokey" as a rookie, saying at times he "wasn't focussing as much as I should" during 2019.

The Brit finished his rookie season in 11th place in the drivers' championship, five places below teammate Carlos Sainz in sixth. Although Norris did beat Sainz in the qualifying duel, it was the Spaniard who scored almost double the points as he became the first non-Red Bull, Mercedes or Ferrari driver since 2014 to finish in the top six.

Already one of the most popular drivers on the grid, Norris thinks he was almost joking around too much rather than focussing on the task at hand.

"In some ways I think I've been almost been too relaxed, and had too much fun," the 20-year-old told Autosport.

"When it's become more serious, I haven't focused as much as I should do and so on, and worked on as many areas as I should do, I think I started to take a little bit for granted.

"It's been good and I've been able to have fun in my first season, I've not just come in and been surrounded by too many serious things and people.

"At the same time and I think that's also helped in my ability to work on several things and improve as a driver."

Norris' season featured 10 points finishes, the best one being in P6. Sainz, of course, got a podium in Brazil but also finished fifth on three occasions as the 25-year-old simply looked the better driver during races over the season.

"Maybe sometimes I've pushed it a bit too much in terms of making it too jokey, and not focusing as much as I should," he continued.

"There's a compromise, I still just want to have fun sometimes, wear my own jumper and things like that."

Having driven the bulk of the season as a teenage rookie next to someone who was in his fifth year in Sainz, Norris has certainly been impressive in 2019. His qualifying pace is already very strong, and McLaren have to feel confident the race pace will come with age and experience.