Lando Norris grew up watching Lewis Hamilton racing inspiration, alongside Fernando Alonso, on television before he entered Formula 1 in 2019. Since joining the sport, the McLaren driver has been racing against these two iconic champions, yet he still sometimes feels detached from their elite status.
Norris recalled watching Formula 1 races in 2007, when Alonso, Hamilton, and Jenson Button dominated the grid. He said,
“Watching Formula 1, Fernando, Lewis, you know, this is like ’07, Fernando, Lewis, Jenson [Button], all of the coolest races that ever happened and like wow, that’s so cool watching them. I would wake up at 3am, 4am, to watch some of these races. And now that’s me.”
A Sense of Surreal Achievement Despite Reality
The transition from fan to competitor still feels unreal to Norris, especially since both Alonso and Hamilton continue racing. He admitted,
“Some of these guys are still racing. It’s such a crazy thought. I don’t know. It’s hard to say in words that that is now me. That’s what I once never even thought was possible.”
His debut in Formula 1 left a lasting impression, making him starstruck to race alongside his heroes. Norris shared,
“You still have that little – I was like, ‘Oh my god, it’s Fernando!’ you know? And the thing is, I’m still – maybe not quite as much like that because I’ve grown a bit – but I’m still like that. I’m still like ‘wow, I’m racing Fernando and I’m racing Lewis’.”
Respecting Competitors While Staying Competitive
Despite the competitive nature of the sport, Norris openly admires Hamilton and Alonso as inspirations. He emphasized,
“100%, I still look up to Hamilton and Alonso. Even though you want to beat them, and they’re competition and you have little squabbles and little fights every now and then, and you say some abuse to one another every now and then in the cooldown room. I’m still like, man, this is cool.”
Racing against legends such as Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, Norris finds it remarkable to share the same track and interact with some of the sport’s greatest figures. He reflected,
“I’m racing Fernando and Seb [Sebastian Vettel], and these are some of the greatest that have ever been in the sport. And I’m racing against them, and I’m chatting with them.”
A Mixed Feeling of Belonging and Awe in Formula 1
Despite his growing achievements—nine career wins, 38 podiums, and 13 pole positions—Norris occasionally questions his place among the sport’s elite. He revealed,
“There’s a lot of moments when I still feel like I’m just at home and I’m sitting on my sofa. But I’m racing in Formula 1 against the best guys in the world, in this sport.”
Currently competing for his first drivers‘ championship alongside McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, Norris remains determined but thoughtful about his journey. His reflections highlight the mix of admiration, pressure, and excitement that come with racing at the highest level against his childhood inspirations.
