Formula 1driver Lando Norris recently took a break from the traditional racetrack to tackle the challenging icy surfaces of Sweden, driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. This exciting rallying experience, arranged ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, allowed Norris to embrace a motorsport discipline he has long been curious about while testing his adaptability behind the wheel.
Joining Racing Legends on a Frozen Lake Challenge
Organized by sponsoring brand Monster Energy, the event brought together prominent figures in motorsports, including 2003 World Rally champion Petter Solberg and his son Oliver Solberg, winner of the 2026 Monte Carlo Rally. Set on a frozen lake, the gathering offered Norris the opportunity to handle the powerful and agile rally cars, learning advanced drifting techniques and car control in slippery conditions.
Guided by Rally Champion Oliver Solberg
Oliver Solberg coached Norris on mastering the GR Yaris Rally2, a vehicle that earned him the WRC2 title last year. Norris expressed enthusiasm about adapting to rally driving’s unique style.
“I’m learning. It is a different style of driving. I have done a bit of ice driving but not in a rally car, only in a road car, so it is different. I’m learning a lot, Oliver is helping me understand it. It is cool,”
he said during the event’s Monster Energy video coverage.
Embracing Mistakes as Part of the Learning Process
While pushing the car’s limits, Norris experienced several off-track moments, highlighting the learning curve present in rally driving. Oliver Solberg acknowledged the challenges with encouragement.
“We went off a few times but that happens, you need to try the limits, so fair play, good job,”
he commented, recognizing Norris’s commitment to improving.
Petter Solberg Impressed by Norris’s Rapid Progress
Watching the session from his Volkswagen Polo Rally2, Petter Solberg praised Norris’s performance and enthusiasm.
Image of: Lando Norris
“It has been an incredible event. I’ve really enjoyed it but I’m so happy to see [Lando] Norris enjoy it so much,”
he stated. Petter added further praise,
“I was very impressed actually and at the end now he [Lando] is pushing properly. I was driving behind him and I didn’t catch him, so he was actually really good.”
F1 Drivers Increasingly Exploring Rally Disciplines
Norris is part of a growing trend of Formula 1 drivers engaging with rally cars beyond their primary racing activities. Max Verstappen has also driven a former Sebastien Ogier M-Sport Ford Fiesta WRC, while Lance Stroll from Aston Martin tested a Citroen C3 Rally2 on gravel in Portugal last year, signaling heightened interest in rallying across the F1 community.
What This Means for Norris and Upcoming Races
The motorsport world is watching with anticipation to see how Lando Norris’s rallying experience might influence his Formula 1 performance, especially with the Australian Grand Prix on the horizon. This rally adventure demonstrates Norris’s versatile driving skills and passion for motorsport, suggesting he is ready to embrace diverse challenges and further elevate his racing career.
