Formula 1 driver Lando Norris was seen taking an active interest in MotoGP motorbikes while visiting the paddock at the San Marino Grand Prix this past weekend. The British racer, who is known primarily for his role with McLaren in F1, spent time alongside VR46 Racing Team’s Fabio Di Giannantonio to gain insights into the technical workings of a MotoGP Ducati bike.
Although the F1 calendar is currently on a break between the Italian Grand Prix and the Azerbaijani Grand Prix, Norris chose to remain immersed in motorsport activities by engaging directly with motorcycle racing during the event at Imola, Italy.
Lando Norris Dives into Technical Details with VR46 Racing and Fabio Di Giannantonio
On Friday, September 12, Norris was first spotted in the MotoGP paddock alongside Jorge Martin from Aprilia Racing. He then visited the garage of VR46 Racing the following day, where he learned about the nuances of the Ducati machine from Fabio Di Giannantonio. The 25-year-old asked detailed questions, demonstrating a genuine curiosity about motorcycle engineering and performance.
MotoGP’s official Instagram shared a video capturing Norris’s interaction with Di Giannantonio, highlighting the unique cross-discipline exchange between two top-tier racers.
Di Giannantonio secured a seventh-place starting position for the San Marino GP, competing on the bike developed under the legendary Valentino Rossi’s racing team. Meanwhile, Marco Bezzecchi took pole position ahead of Sunday’s race, setting the stage for a competitive event.
Norris’s Recent Performance and Championship Battle in Formula 1
The previous weekend had been busy for Norris as he competed in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where he finished second behind Max Verstappen. Despite the strong finish, much attention was drawn to a strategic moment involving his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. Due to a slow pit stop for Norris, the team instructed Piastri to allow him back through, which resulted in Norris taking second place while Piastri came in third.
This particular sequence caused a crucial three-point swing favoring Norris in the drivers’ standings, as the two McLaren drivers continue their close championship fight through the season.
Lando Norris Discusses Cautious Approach After Intense Italian GP Duel
Reflecting on his Italian GP race, Norris admitted that he had to exercise extreme caution, especially when Max Verstappen overtook him. He explained how his position in the championship impacted his willingness to take risks on track compared to Verstappen’s more aggressive style.
“The main part I said was nerve-rackingly close was when he overtook me into Turn 1 on the outside, on lap two or three, whatever it was. That’s the one where it’s like, who wants to brake the latest? But I knew being on the inside that Max is in a much stronger position than I am,” said Norris. —Lando Norris, F1 Driver
“He can afford to be a lot more on the edge and aggressive than I can. I can’t afford to lose a front wing or have a little bit of damage, whatever it might be,” he added. —Lando Norris, F1 Driver
Currently, Norris is trailing his teammate by 31 points in the 2025 championship, a gap widened largely by his DNF at the Dutch GP, which Piastri won. This situation leaves Norris needing to balance competitiveness with prudence over the remaining rounds of the season.
Bridging the Gap Between F1 and MotoGP: What This Means for Norris
Lando Norris’s interest in MotoGP machinery, especially in learning from the VR46 Racing Team affiliated with Valentino Rossi, shows his broader enthusiasm for motorsport beyond Formula 1. Engaging with Fabio Di Giannantonio and experiencing the details of a MotoGP Ducati aligns with Norris’s reputation for technical curiosity and a desire to understand different racing disciplines.
This crossover could influence his driving techniques or provide fresh perspectives useful for his own career. As Norris continues his F1 championship challenge, observing MotoGP’s high-performance approach may offer insights on handling, bike dynamics, and race strategy that could help refine his skills.
With eight races left in the season, Norris faces critical moments in both performance and decision-making, where balancing aggression and caution will remain key to his ambitions.
