F1Weekly Podcast # 1042
Play Podcast: 05-07-24f1weekly1042.mp3
Nasir returns from his Miami experience celebrating Lando’s 1st Grand Prix win! Motorsports Mondial is fully loaded with many questions and many answers. Nasir will have a full reportage later this week. In the meantime enjoy F1Weekly’s first interview with Lando Norris at Donington Park Circuit in 2015.
LANDO: HOME TOWN Glastonbury / UK
D.O.B. 13 Nov. 1999
F1 DEBUT Australia / 2019
DRIVER NO. #4
WINS 1
PODIUMS 15
POLES 1
FASTEST LAPS 6
It speaks volumes that at only 23, Lando Norris became McLaren’s senior driver. It was the first time in his career that he had ever been the elder driver in a team, and for many, that would have been a heavy burden, but the British star went on to deliver his strongest season in F1 to date, scoring seven podiums and 205 points.
Possessing natural raw pace, Lando’s out-and-out speed has always been evident, but during his five seasons, he’s carved out a reputation as a quality qualifier and one of the most consistent racers on the grid. Somewhat shy, but with a playful sense of humour and boyish charm, when he first joined as Test and Simulator Driver in 2017, Lando has grown into a mature and confident leader, with a sharp wit.
A gifted karter, Lando remains the youngest driver ever to set a pole position at a national meeting. In 2012, he became Formula Kart Stars champion and runner-up in the MSA Super One British Championship.
A year later, he won titles in the CIK-FIA KFJ European, CIK-FIA KFJ Super Cup, WSK Euro Series KFJ, CIK-FIA International Super Cup and World Karting Championship. In addition, he became WSK Masters Series vice-champion. He made history by becoming the youngest karting world championship winner, taking the CIK-FIA KF World Championship title at 14, an accolade previously held by Lewis Hamilton.
Alexander Albon (THA, DAMS), Jack Aitken (GBR, ART Grand Prix), Lando Norris (GBR, Carlin).
World Copyright: Zak Mauger / FIA Formula 2. ref: Digital Image
His graduation to single-seaters only underlined that initial promise. In 2016, he won a slew of single-seater championships – Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup, Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup and the Toyota Racing Series Championship in New Zealand. He then crowned his season with the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver Award, which was presented to him at the Autosport Awards in December 2016.
In 2017, Lando won the European Formula 3 Championship alongside a role as a Test and Simulator Driver for the McLaren Honda Formula 1 team. Following his success in F3, Lando was promoted to Test and Reserve Driver in 2018 and made his debut in F2 with Carlin Racing.
It was to be a busy and productive year for the teenager. He began it by contesting the Daytona 24 Hours with United Autosports, gaining valuable experience in a line-up that included Fernando Alonso.
His F2 season got off to a superb start when he won the opening feature race in Bahrain, and after that, he was a regular frontrunner, fighting for the title with George Russell and Alex Albon.
Sunday 25 November 2018. Lando Norris (GBR, Carlin), Antonio Fuoco (ITA, Charouz Racing System), Roberto Merhi (ESP, Campos Vexatec Racing). Photo: Zak Mauger / FIA Formula 2.
ref: Digital Image
His progression towards an F1 seat continued when he enjoyed productive FP1 outings in Belgium and Italy, and in September, it was announced that he would partner Carlos Sainz at McLaren in 2018. He then finished a remarkable year in Abu Dhabi by securing the runner-up spot in F2, shortly after his 19th birthday.
Still only 19 when he made his debut, Lando enjoyed a remarkable rookie campaign in F1, finishing in the points 11 times and beating his more experienced teammate Carlos Sainz in their head-to-head qualifying battle.
He grew in stature during his sophomore campaign, clinching a maiden podium in the opening round at Austria. He’d only finish outside the points four times that season as he became a regular feature in the top 10 and helped the team to their highest finish in the Constructors’ Championship since 2012.
His stock continued to rise in 2021 as he took four more podiums and heartbreakingly missed out on a first win at the Russian Grand Prix, firmly establishing himself as an F1 frontrunner.
Lando was amongst the quickest to adapt following an overhaul to the regulations and a new generation of car in 2022. Lando repeatedly exploited the MCL36’s full potential and even notched an unexpected sixth F1 podium at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, emerging as the frontrunner in a highly competitive midfield battle. He ended the season as the only driver outside the top three teams to take a podium and finished directly behind the six drivers from the top three teams, with seventh place in the Drivers’ Championship.
During a tough start to the 2023 season, Lando played a key role in managing expectations and maximising the ability of the MCL60 as the team worked on key upgrades for the car. Once those upgrades were installed, he never looked back. Lando cemented his place among F1’s elite by taking 193 points in 14 rounds, finishing as the second most consistent driver after World Champion Max Verstappen.
Lando kicked off his 2024 in positive fashion, commiting his future to McLaren by signing an extended multi-year contract.
McLaren.com