Lando Norris has racked up an impressive 279 points and clinched three Grand Prix victories so far in the 2024 Formula 1 season, putting himself right in the thick of a fierce championship battle. The Brit, who once formed the iconic “CarLando” partnership with Carlos Sainz during their time together at McLaren, is now chasing down Red Bull’s Max Verstappen with a razor-thin gap of just 52 points in the standings.
Carlos Sainz, currently racing for Williams, took a moment to reflect on his former teammate’s rapid rise and revealed what he believes is the key to Norris’ success. Having raced alongside Norris in 2019 and 2020, Sainz got a close-up look at what makes the young driver tick.
“Lando is incredibly self-critical, and I think that’s his biggest strength,” Sainz commented. “He’s hard on himself, and that pushes him to improve faster than others. Back when we were at McLaren together, his progress in those first two years was massive because of this approach.”
The Spaniard, who has always been vocal about his admiration for Norris, believes that this relentless drive for self-improvement has been the cornerstone of Norris’ rise as one of the most prolific drivers in modern F1. Sainz’s words come as Norris finds himself under intense scrutiny, given his close proximity to the championship lead.
Sainz added: “The problem when you’re at the front is that everything you do is magnified. Every little mistake becomes a talking point.”
Indeed, Norris has faced criticism this season for inconsistent starts off the grid, with several race starts failing to go as planned. This pattern has attracted scrutiny from F1 pundits, who have not shied away from questioning his ability to handle the pressure of the championship fight. However, the Brit turned things around in his last outing at the Singapore Grand Prix, delivering a flawless performance from start to finish.
Starting from pole, Norris dominated the race, holding onto the lead through Turn 1 and never looking back. He led every lap and crossed the finish line with a commanding margin of over 20 seconds. The victory showcased his potential and silenced critics—at least for now.
With just six races remaining in the season, Norris will need to replicate this level of excellence consistently if he hopes to clinch his maiden F1 world title. The question now is whether he can sustain his form and harness the self-critical nature that Sainz believes has been his greatest asset.
As the spotlight intensifies, all eyes are on Norris to see if he can deliver under pressure and carve his name among F1’s elite.
