Dressed to the nines on the , stepped onto the crimson carpet as a System 1 world champion for the primary time. However whereas it might have been straightforward for the Briton to wax lyrical about his efficiency this 12 months, as a substitute he mirrored on a second with racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart in 2013.
Norris’s rise on the earth of racing from a younger junior racer to a grand prix winner and, finally, a champion, is nicely documented. However this journey noticed the driving force stand alongside Sir Stewart a decade in the past, with the three-time champion saying on the time that he believed Norris might be a part of him within the winner’s circle – one thing he was requested about in entrance of the cameras as we speak.
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“I imply, it’s loopy,” he stated. “I truly, within the automotive right here, I regarded on the image of me and Jackie again then,” earlier than including with a smile, “I’ve grown a bit greater than what Jackie has.”
He continued: “I don’t know. I feel then it’s so distant. Like F1 was, what, seven years away from there?” he defined. “And a world championship was what, like 12 years away from that?
“So I simply maintain making an attempt, maintain believing. I used to be by no means one to overly consider or give myself an excessive amount of confidence in regards to the future. However I stored making an attempt, stored preventing and it turned out.
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Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing
Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing
“So I feel that was the principle factor: maintain your head down, maintain working exhausting and hope – it would not at all times – however hope that it pays off.”
Norris fought exhausting towards not solely four-time champion throughout final 12 months’s F1 season, but in addition his personal team-mate .
With sturdy consistency in direction of the tip of the season, he proved aggressive in his potent equipment. And whereas Verstappen’s efficiency surged within the latter half of the 12 months, Norris stored a relaxed head on his shoulders as he continued to financial institution factors.
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A 3rd-place end on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – the final race of the season – confirmed his place within the historical past books, one thing Norris has fought tirelessly for since he joined the championship in 2019.
” I’ve one thing to battle for, you realize?” he stated on the upcoming season. “To try to preserve my championship and preserve the quantity that I am gonna have this 12 months.”
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