Lando Norris and McLaren: Is it Formula 1’s big dream team? The mutual trust seems to be paying off
Lando Norris won his first Formula 1 race in Miami in 2024, giving McLaren a victory. The Brit has been part of the team since 2017 and made it into the Formula 1 cockpit in the 2019 season at the age of just 19. In his sixth year, Norris has repaid his loyalty and trust in his racing team with an outstanding performance
Zak Brown took the helm at McLaren as Managing Director at the time, and one of his first official acts was to include Norris in the junior program at the age of 16. Since then, the now 24-year-old has been regarded as a diamond in the rough in the premier class, which is probably why Red Bull was also interested in the youngster’s services.
“Lando is an exceptional talent,” said Brown back then. “He has pulverized the competition more than once.” When the then 19-year-old was promoted to the McLaren cockpit in 2019, there were doubts as to whether the youngster would be able to cope with the pressure in Formula 1. Norris impressed, but had to wait more than five years before he could reap the rewards of his hard work
Lando Norris a team player
In 2020, Norris stood on the podium for the first time, after which the knot burst and the Brit repeatedly finished in the top three, but not in first place – until Miami 2024. In 2021, he had a good chance of winning in Sochi, but rain and a spin on slicks ruined all chances.
Norris is regarded as a self-critical person who is primarily concerned with himself rather than blaming problems on the team or others. Accordingly, he also has the backing of the team bosses – first from Andreas Seidl, now from Andrea Stella. Norris worked on his qualifying pace over the winter to improve his chances for 2024.
“Lando is behind his team,” said Stella at the start of the 2024 season. “He is world champion material, has a lot of talent, a good attitude and work ethic.” That is why McLaren has signed a long-term contract with the 24-year-old until the end of 2026. Norris has already finished on the podium 16 times with the team, and the victory in Miami could be the start of a new era
To the title with McLaren in the long term?
“This is something very special for me personally. He was with us right from the start. He’s taken so many second places, it’s great that he’s finally done it,” Brown told Viaplay. McLaren never had any doubts about the talent of the fans’ favorite. Norris has now repaid this trust.
But times were not always rosy at McLaren: with the introduction of the ground-effect cars in 2022, the team lost its place as the best team behind Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari. It was a step backwards, but McLaren worked hard to turn things around. In 2024, McLaren is the third strongest team in Formula 1 behind Red Bull and Ferrari.
Norris said of McLaren in 2023: “I feel very comfortable here. I definitely haven’t lost faith in the team and I’m happy to be part of this adventure to become a team that can win races and titles again. I have the patience to wait a few more years. Norris was asked if he could imagine leaving McLaren.”
There could be a vacancy at Red Bull in 2025, and Norris was a candidate. But he put his money where his mouth was and only extended his contract by several years in January. “They now know that I am behind the team and that I have chosen McLaren over Ferrari, Red Bull or Mercedes,” says Norris, who wants to become world champion with McLaren.
