British Formula 1 driver Lando Norris has reached out to his McLaren race engineer, Will Joseph, during his pursuit of a first drivers‘ championship in the 2025 season. The 25-year-old recently secured his eighth career victory by winning the British Grand Prix, thrilling fans in front of his home crowd.
As the season passes its midpoint, Norris remains firmly in contention, trailing his McLaren teammate and current championship leader Oscar Piastri by only eight points. This narrow gap has intensified efforts within the McLaren garage to secure the title, with Joseph’s guidance playing an essential role in Norris’ campaign.
The Dynamics Between Norris and His Race Engineer
In a recent discussion on F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast, Norris and Joseph offered insight into the nature of their working relationship, which is crucial to their success on track. Joseph described their rapport as “trusting,” while Norris labeled it “honest” and “enjoyable.”
Joseph further explained their connection, stating,
People often refer to other engineer-driver combinations as husband and wife. I don’t think we’re like that at all, we’re more older brother, younger brother type thing.
Norris agreed that the relationship resembles that sibling dynamic but acknowledged they have experienced challenging moments together at McLaren.
Illustrating this close bond, Joseph once pleaded with Norris during a race,
Please do what I ask you to,
to which Norris quickly responded,
Don’t embarrass me… it goes both ways!
Pressure Builds as Norris Battles for the Title
After emerging last season as Max Verstappen’s most serious threat, Norris now faces a chance to claim a championship as Verstappen’s performance has declined at Red Bull. The former’s lead engineer, Joseph, along with the McLaren team, is under pressure to ensure flawless race strategies for the remaining rounds, as another incident like Norris’ crash with teammate Piastri at the Canadian Grand Prix could derail his championship hopes.
At Montreal, McLaren’s choice to allow their drivers to race freely backfired when Norris attempted an overtaking move on Piastri without the benefit of DRS, resulting in his first DNF of 2025. This incident highlights the balance the team must strike between aggressive racing and strategic caution moving forward.
Looking Ahead to the Rest of the Season
With the championship battle at a critical stage, Norris’ reliance on Joseph and McLaren’s decisions will be pivotal. Their partnership’s strength and communication could ultimately decide whether Norris converts his British GP success into a title triumph.
The next races will test their ability to manage high stakes and intense competition, shaping not only Norris’ legacy but also the future direction of McLaren’s driver duo this year.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Lando Norris a millionaire?
A. Lando Norris, a British racer, earns $30 million (£23.2m). He started Formula 1 in 2019 with McLaren. His first year was impressive, finishing 11th and just missing the top 10. At 24, he placed sixth in the 2023 season.