Top talent at a young age
In 2013, the then very young Briton was already attracting attention. Within a year, Norris had won several karting championships, and a year later he was also the karting world champion. Norris also won the MSA Formula (where Formula 4 cars are raced) and the string of top results continued.
2016 was another year of success for the young Briton, who took titles in the European Formula Renault Championship, the Northern European Edition and the Toyota Racing Series. That same season, Norris also took his first Formula 3 seat, but as a part-timer in that class, great results still failed to materialise.
Titles keep coming
With almost every possible title in his pocket, Norris focuses entirely on Formula 3 in 2017 and is also included in McLaren's talent programme. That season, Norris won the Formula 3 title and the Briton got to drive the last two races of the Formula 2 season. In the following season, the McLaren junior would show what he's made of.
In the first race of the season, Norris immediately stood on the top step of the podium, but knows that the competition in the 2018 season is cut-throat. George Russell and Alexander Albon, like Norris, are regularly on the podium. Norris then still had the upper hand, but in the second half of the season he didn't come close to his previous performance and the Briton dropped to P2. Fellow countryman (and Mercedes junior) George Russell took the title.
Two successful seasons at McLaren
Despite missing out on the title, Norris was given the opportunity at McLaren alongside Carlos Sainz. The duo brought a breath of fresh air to the team, and suddenly managed to find their way back up the ladder under Andreas Seidl. Norris quickly proves his talent over a single lap, but still loses out in terms of points to his more experienced teammate.
In the 2020 Formula 1 season, Norris immediately showed in the first race that he also has the right racing skills. In the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, he was able to capitalise on other drivers' mistakes in the closing stages of the race and finished a neat third, thanks to some sharp action. He celebrated his first podium finish as a victory.
Norris to experience huge growth in 2021
However, Norris himself indicated that he needed to work on his approach in the races. It became clear in 2021 that he has certainly succeeded in doing so. The young Briton was one of the most consistent drivers of the season and also overshadowed his new teammate Daniel Ricciardo, who did not immediately find his feet at McLaren. In the Russian Grand Prix, Norris was almost rewarded with his first Formula One win, but late rain spoiled the experience.
The disappointment in Sochi hit Norris hard, whose performance for the rest of the season lagged somewhat behind his excellent earlier results. However, Norris also saw his best season to date in 2021, scoring three podiums and generally being the best of the rest. He finished the season in sixth place in the overall standings.
Lando Norris in 2022
Norris will want to use the winter break to recover mentally, as the McLaren driver seemed unable to fully overcome the disappointment of Sochi. In 2022 he will have the chance to make a fresh start, as will the rest of the Formula 1 grid. If he adopts the same approach as in 2021, the young Briton will have nothing to worry about as he has proven he can be both extremely fast and consistent.
