Lando Norris is Formula 1 world champion in 2025. After the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, during which neither Max Verstappen nor his teammate Oscar Piastri managed to take the lead of the championship, the English driver immortalized his name in the history books of the Grand Cirque. The McLaren driver won his first title this Sunday in the final race of the championship where he finished third, behind Verstappen and Piastri.
Born November 13, 1999 in Bristol, United Kingdom, Lando He started racing karts at the age of six.. Thanks to the fortune of his father, a successful businessman who ran a pension fund, he was able to devote himself to motorsport full time. He soon showed his speed, and In 2014 he became world champion small cars.
The following season was his first in single-seater racing, although he quickly dominated the training categories, becoming one of the most promising athletes on the scene. In 2017 he was signed by the McLaren driver academya team with which he spent two years as a tester, a job combined with his victory in F3 and a second place in F2, beaten only by George Russell.
During his two seasons in the garages, he was able to see up close how Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne suffered with the Honda enginebut he was able to learn how the team and the car worked under the wing of the Asturian driver.
After the two-time champion’s temporary withdrawal and the expiration of his teammate’s contract before 2019, Lando Norris finally got the opportunity to debut. With Carlos Sainz as his garage neighbor, he obtained his first podium (Austria 2020), and after two seasons with the Madrilenian, he took the reins of the team by decisively beating Daniel Ricciardo.
His first victory came at Miami 2024leaving behind the record for the driver in F1 history with the most podiums without winning a race. Although McLaren, already with Oscar Piastri in the other car, won the World Constructors’ Championship, The Englishman’s attempt at the drivers’ table was interrupted by Max Verstappeneven though the revenge only took a year to carry out.
Despite his talent, Lando Norris became one of the most controversial drivers on the gridalthough this was not always the case. During his first seasons in F1, his presence on social networks earned him a legion of followers, with a predominantly female and young audience.
But his driving style and several controversial statements have made those who don’t like him hate him. With the best car on the grid, he couldn’t compete with Max Verstappen in 2024 and a campaign marred by errors, bad starts and radio protests have earned him the pernicious nickname “Blando Norris”. It is very difficult to navigate F1 content on the networks without encountering discussions between its fans and the haters.
The criticisms of his character can be summed up in a single sentence: “It’s not talent, it’s just luck”something he said about Super Max’s legendary return to Brazil 2024, winning the race despite starting 17th. Additionally, many fans believe that the Englishman benefited from McLaren at the expense of Oscar Piastri during the season. More fuel on the fire.
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