Column | Norris rewarded with new McLaren contract after sublime start to F1 2021

Lando Norris is in fine form during the 2021 Formula 1 season. The British driver had to end his bromance partnership with Carlos Sainz as the Spaniard moved to Ferrari, but Norris has taken it up quite a few gears over the winter. It's still early days and Daniel Ricciardo continues to find his feet with the McLaren car, but Norris has a clear upper hand. 

Questions asked during the winter

Ricciardo's move to McLaren raised a few eyebrows. Everyone up and down the grid knows how good the Australian is. He has been widely regarded as one of the best drivers on the current grid without a World Championship to his name. The seven-time Grand Prix winner ran rings around Esteban Ocon and Nico Hulkenberg during his time at Renault. 

It was always going to be a big question for Norris. How was he going to perform coming up against a proven strong driver in the form of Ricciardo? Was he going to be able to match him? Was he going to struggle? 

Whilst the former Red Bull Racing driver continues to adapt to the new McLaren car, the 21-year-old Brit has the upper hand on Ricciardo on race day. Ricciardo leads the way 3-1 on Saturday's, but it's Norris ahead 3-1 on the day points are handed out.

Norris made a strong first lap pass on his new teammate in Bahrain and left him behind. Norris went on to finish fourth. In Imola, Ricciardo had to let Norris past who then stormed forward to gain around a 30-second advantage. He then demonstrated great maturity in the battle with Hamilton towards the end of the race. The Mercedes driver produced the overtake, but Norris didn't make it easy. 

With just four races completed, it's perhaps better to compare him to Charles Leclerc. 

Ahead of the midfield

In the World Championship, Norris has scored one more point than Leclerc. In every race, Norris has gained places on Sunday in comparison to his starting grid. In Imola, he almost made it onto the front row of the grid but failed to abide to track limits. 

McLaren and Ferrari are renewing their age-old rivalry in 2021. Norris is currently leading the way. And he's even ahead of Sergio Perez, and just six points behind Valtteri Bottas in the Championship. A gap that will surely grow over the season, but the evidence of strong talent is clearly there to see. 

The way Norris talks about his relationship with his engineers also gives off positives. He also has that fighting talk and the sudden want to improve when things go wrong. An important factor. And during the contract announcement, he gave clear ambitions: to become World Champion. And he clearly has the much needed confidence in McLaren as the sport enters a new chapter in 2022.