A Star is Born: Oscar Piastri
July 22, 2024
Lando Norris: talent, charisma and fighting spirit
Lando Norris may not have been named after the Star Wars rebel Lando Calrissian – his mother simply liked the name – but flair, style and fighting spirit are abundant in the young Briton.
McLaren monitored him for two years before launching him into Formula 1’s galaxy of stars in 2019. A firecracker in junior categories, with a taste for pole positions and wheel-to-wheel battles, Norris did not disappoint.
Paired with the highly rated and far more experienced Carlos Sainz, his rookie season impressed, edging the Spaniard in qualifying, scoring points in 11 races, and narrowly missing a top-10 finish in the championship.
His maiden podium came in 2020, followed by more in the next seasons, including a near-win in Russia 2021, while dominating another senior teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, firmly establishing himself among F1’s elite.
The 2024 season marked his breakthrough, with his first victory and three more, becoming Max Verstappen’s main challenger for the drivers’ crown and leading McLaren to their first Constructors’ Championship since 1998.
Off the track, Norris combines modest charm with artistic talent, designing and painting his own race gear as a hobby. Looking ahead, his goal is to merge artistry and ambition on the track, as McLaren relies on youthful promise to climb back to the top.
Lando Norris continues confident that the downforce will always be on his side.