Formula 1
The simple third year F1 factor that helped Norris shine
Lando Norris says the value of experience should not be underestimated when it comes to explaining the step-up he made in Formula 1 last year.
Jonathan Noble Alex Kalinauckas
Edited: Feb 7, 2022, 10:22 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
On the back of a solid first two seasons in the sport, where Norris had at times doubted himself, the Briton delivered a stellar 2021 campaign as he grabbed a maiden pole position and came close to victory at the Russian Grand Prix.
The way that he was able to overshadow well-respected teammate Daniel Ricciardo was proof of his growing maturity and speed, and left his McLaren bosses in no doubt that he is a future winner.
But while the step up he made last year was impressive, Norris feels that it was just a case of natural progression that every driver enjoys when he gets a run of seasons under his belt.
“I always hate to leave an excuse as ‘lack of experience’,” he explained. “Like, saying ‘oh, I'm just not as experienced’ is such an easy thing to use, and I'd hate to say lack of experience.
“I hate having to say that sometimes, and I didn't want to believe that having that break in the winter and coming back knowing everything a bit more subconsciously is going to make much difference.
“But also, because I've never done more than one season in any category since starting in cadets, it was hard for me to know the differences through the years.”
Norris also reckons that his qualities in F1 were made harder to judge by going up against the more established Carlos Sainz for his first two years.
“I think my second year was good, but Carlos I believe is one of the best drivers in F1 and he didn't make me look as good, because he's an extremely good driver and he did a very good job,” said Norris about their two seasons together. “So fair play to him.
“I think I got shadowed a bit by him, because he was doing an exceptional job and I think I've taken that next step, which would have been the same or maybe a bit better than him.
“That was through a combination of understanding everything from the past few years, having a bit of a fresh start, different teammate and so on, and a slightly better car underneath me that I'm more confident with.
“Plus that winter off, coming back refreshed and having a lot more of that experience ingrained in me. So I really saw that difference more than I did maybe for year one to year two.”
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL35M
Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images
While Norris’ 2021 campaign started off very strongly, he concedes there were a few more challenges later on in the campaign – including the startline incident with Carlos Sainz in Brazil that cost him the shot of a decent finish.
“I’m very happy at least with the progress I made from last season working on those weak areas,” he said. “I think I turned some of those into strengths. Some of them still need some work but overall, we’ve done a much better job.
“The other things I did well was especially the first half being very strong. I think we came out at the start of the season extremely strong and I think we maximised what we did very well.
“We maximised every opportunity we had to get onto the podiums to make the most of other people’s penalties and stuff.
“There’s definitely been a few places where I've made mistakes for sure, like Brazil, which was probably one of my biggest mistakes of the season.
“It's such a small thing but it cost us a good amount of points and a possible race with Ferrari and to be ahead of them in that race.
“Maybe two or three other races where I just haven't been on it, maybe just one or two positions down, but I don't think any of which have put me out. I’ve not had any proper big crashes which have cost me points I think.”
Read Also:
- The steps Norris took to reach a new level in the 2021 F1 season
- McLaren planning F1 car upgrade package for first race in Bahrain
- The changes edging McLaren closer to an F1 title challenge
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Steiner has ‘full confidence’ in FIA to resolve Abu Dhabi F1 fallout
Next article Horner fulfils Qatar F1 GP “rogue marshal” offence obligation
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Lando Norris
"Two steps forward, one step back" – Oscar Piastri explains the route out of McLaren's car woes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
"Two steps forward, one step back" – Oscar Piastri explains the route out of McLaren's car woes
Lando Norris' LN4 Fusion granted entry to F2 for 2027
FIA F2
FIA F2
Lando Norris' LN4 Fusion granted entry to F2 for 2027
More from
McLaren
Why McLaren gave team order to Oscar Piastri in F1 US GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Why McLaren gave team order to Oscar Piastri in F1 US GP
Who slept worst last night: Lando Norris
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Who slept worst last night: Lando Norris
Latest news
LIVE: F1 Mexico GP updates - Can Kimi Antonelli seal the title?
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
59 min
LIVE: F1 Mexico GP updates - Can Kimi Antonelli seal the title?
What does Yamaha’s shock MotoGP boycott mean for F1 in Qatar and Abu Dhabi?
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Qatar GP
2 h
What does Yamaha’s shock MotoGP boycott mean for F1 in Qatar and Abu Dhabi?
Valtteri Bottas "pretty confident" of staying for F1 2027 amid Colton Herta rumours
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
4 h
Valtteri Bottas "pretty confident" of staying for F1 2027 amid Colton Herta rumours
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe