Lando Norris has been topped Method 1’s thirty fifth world champion after the dramatic decider in Abu Dhabi, and it appears he has been destined for this since he was younger.
Karting Days
The Briton has at all times been a gifted driver, securing himself many titles all through his karting days. In 2012, he turned Method Kart Stars champion and runner-up within the MSA Tremendous One British Championship. A yr later, he received titles within the CIK-FIA KFJ European Championship, CIK-FIA KFJ Tremendous Cup, WSK Euro Collection KFJ, CIK-FIA Worldwide Tremendous Cup, and World Karting Championship.
Along with his titles, he additionally made historical past, which appears to be a standard factor from Lando Norris. He turned the youngest karting world championship winner, taking the CIK-FIA KF World Championship title at 14. This was beforehand held by Lewis Hamilton. He additionally stays the youngest ever to take a pole place at a nationwide assembly.
The Rise to McLaren
In 2016, Norris racked up a lot of wins in single-seater championships – Method Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup, Method Renault 2.0 Eurocup and the Toyota Racing Collection Championship in New Zealand.
Following his success in 2016 and after profitable the 2016 McLaren Autosport BRDC Award, McLaren signed Norris on as a Take a look at and Simulator Driver.
Alongside his new position at McLaren, Lando took a step-up to the European Method 3 Championship and ended up profitable this primary try with 9 victories and eleven podiums from 30 races.
Along with his spectacular efficiency all through F3, he was promoted to Take a look at and Reserve Driver and made his debut in F2 with Carlin Racing.
His F2 season began on a excessive observe, profitable the opening race in Bahrain, and after that, he was a constant excessive performer, combating for the title with George Russell and Alex Albon. Lando completed his exceptional yr in Abu Dhabi by securing the runner-up spot in F2, shortly after his nineteenth birthday.
Method 1 Debut
In September 2018, it was confirmed that Lando Norris could be becoming a member of Carlos Sainz at McLaren, incomes his full-time seat in Method 1.
Solely 19 when he made his debut, Lando had a formidable rookie yr, ending within the factors 11 occasions. His rise to world champion continued all through 2021 as he took 4 extra podiums and sadly missed out on a primary win on the Russian Grand Prix, firmly establishing himself as an F1 frontrunner.
Norris performed a key position in utilising the flexibility of the MCL60 because the workforce labored on key upgrades for the automotive.
As soon as these upgrades have been put in, Lando cemented his place amongst F1’s high drivers by taking 193 factors in 14 rounds, ending because the second most constant driver after earlier World Champion, Max Verstappen.
Going into his 2024 season, Lando knew his future was with the workforce he’d dreamt of driving for since he was younger and signed a multi-year contract extension. With a powerful begin to the 2024 season, and the set up of an improve forward of the Miami Grand Prix, Lando Norris grabbed himself an historic win.
Lando produced three extra wins all through the season, most notably within the title-deciding season finale, the place he led from the Pole to verify McLaren as Constructors’ Champions for the primary time in 26 years.
Champion Of the World
Lando was eying a title problem in 2025. Armed with a race-winning automotive from the primary spherical, Lando established himself as a contender with victory within the Australia season-opener. McLaren was this season’s dominating workforce, persistently breaking away from the remainder of the pack, and the title battle with teammate, Oscar Piastri supplied followers with nail-biting pleasure all through the season. Lando delivered wins in Monaco and Silverstone, however Oscar was the Championship chief on the midway stage, build up a 34-point buffer between Spherical 5 in Saudi Arabia and Spherical 15 within the Netherlands, earlier than Lando started to eat into his benefit.
With their dominating automotive and a battle between these drivers, McLaren had their first back-to-back Constructors’ titles for the reason that early 90s.
Wins for Lando in Mexico Metropolis and São Paulo accomplished his comeback within the standings and established a 24-point lead over his teammate, with three rounds to go, however earlier World Champion Verstappen had discovered his rhythm once more and the three-way battle between Piastri, Verstappen and Norris continued on till the finale race of the season.
After ending third in Abu Dhabi, Lando confirmed himself as Method 1’s thirty fifth Drivers’ World Champion, the eleventh Briton and the primary from McLaren for 17 years, thirteenth general. Profitable by two factors over Max Verstappen in second place, Lando ended the yr with seven wins, 18 podiums, and 7 Poles.
