The relationship between Lando Norris and McLaren began long before he joined the McLaren young driver program in 2017. CEO Zak Brown showed interest in Norris’s career even before that. Brown praised Norris’s talent and achievements, which included winning the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award.
Some questioned whether Norris, at 18, was ready for a McLaren seat in 2019. However, he proved himself by matching teammate Carlos Sainz’s performance. Norris earned podium finishes, but wins were rare due to tough competition.
Critics unfairly blamed Norris for near-wins, like the 2021 Russian Grand Prix. However, McLaren bosses defended him. Norris admitted his mistakes but worked on improving his performance.
Andrea Stella, who worked with top F1 drivers, compared Norris to the best. McLaren ensured Norris stayed with the team by renewing his contract. His recent win in Miami, after many podiums, felt special to McLaren as Norris had been with them since the beginning.
Though Norris faced challenges, he remained committed to McLaren. Despite tempting offers from Red Bull, he chose to stay with McLaren. Norris believes in McLaren’s potential to win championships, especially after their progress in 2023.
Norris’s decision to stick with McLaren shows his trust in the team. McLaren’s recent success, including Norris’s Miami win, proves their mutual faith is paying off.
