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 experienced 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.
Lando Norris in 2023
Norris' performance promised well for 2022, but McLaren did not provide the material he needed to make a big impact. The Brit made it to the podium at Imola, but that was all. Norris did, however, excel by very consistently getting the most out of his car and once again finishing the season as (well over) 'best of the rest'.
With Oscar Piastri as his new teammate, Norris will face a new challenge in 2023. Not only will he have to stay ahead of the promising talent, but the hunger for that first win still remains. However, everything will depend on the car McLaren manages to produce in the new season.
