Lando Norris was in a jovial mood and cracking jokes after a strong performance in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The McLaren star will start the race in fourth place after an impressive lap on Saturday. He was quicker than both Alpine drivers, which will delight his team, while he was bested only by Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz and George Russell.
It was the first pole position of the Mercedes man's career as he came from nowhere to beat the Ferrari pair to top spot. And Norris was keen to crack jokes at his good friend's expense as he reflected on his own excellent result.
"It's a very good day for us – I'm a little bit disappointed because George takes some of my glory away!" quipped the 22-year-old. "But I'm very happy for him, his first pole in Formula 1 so congrats to him."
Joking further, Norris took full responsibility for his strong result which "was all driver". But overall he was just pleased to be able to get ahead of Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon – it will be important to McLaren's midfield fight that he remain there by the end of the race itself.
"Ahead of the guys we want to be ahead of, P4 as a position is very strong for us at a track where it is not easy to overtake, and I hope that's the case tomorrow," he added. "A good day, and not far off pole. Considering where we were at the beginning of the season, I'm very happy.
"If you looked at last week Alpine were definitely the quicker car still, and I think this weekend my car worked very well from the off and is in a strong place. I think that has allowed us to understand even more how and where it performs very well, and where it doesn't perform so well. I think that's clear for us now."
Despite all the positive signs, Norris still gave insight on just how difficult the McLaren is to drive this year – the main reason why Daniel Ricciardo continues to struggle. "The car still doesn't do what I want, I still feel like I have to drive a car that is inconsistent and difficult to repeat lap on lap. But it's obviously good enough for P4 today after a strong result last week.
"It is quick but just not very easy to drive. I'm still having to adapt my driving style to a way that I don't want and that I'm not confident in, but by the time I get to qualifying I generally find my rhythm. I feel like if I can get a car that gives me even more confidence and I can drive how I want, then George wouldn't be on pole."
