Elated Norris says Monaco pole is a big deal after struggles

MONACO :An elated Lando Norris said his first Monaco Grand Prix pole position was a big deal after recent struggles in his Formula One title battle with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.

The pole was McLaren's first in the principality since 2007 and Norris's first since the season-opener in Melbourne last March.

"It means a lot. Not just because it's been a while since I've been here, but just because of how things have been, how things have gone over the last couple of months, in qualifying," he said.

"And in Monaco, you know, it's just a cooler, more special place to do it. A harder place, because it's more difficult as a lap, more exciting, more pressure, but the most relief at the same time when you do a good job. And today was that day."

Norris, who denied Ferrari's home hero Charles Leclerc the pole position with his final flying lap, said it was probably the first time since Australia that he had "really put it all together.

"It's not like I'm driving quicker, it's I'm driving in a better way, in a smarter way," he added.

Norris is 13 points behind Australian Piastri after seven races and has struggled to do himself justice on Saturdays - a session that used to be considered his strength.

He qualified sixth in Bahrain, 10th in Saudi Arabia and fourth at Imola in a car that has been generally considered the fastest.

"It probably means even more ... because of what's happened over the last couple of months," said Norris.

"It may not seem like a lot. But for me, it's quite a big deal. So, yeah, it's a very, very good moment."

Norris said he needed consistency of results to show how much of a breakthrough it was but "it's at least a step in the right direction.

"I'll be happier if I know and I can get to that point where I'm