Former Formula 1 world champion and analyst Damon Hill has praised Lando Norris as the young driver edges closer to claiming the record for the most race starts with McLaren, the iconic British racing team. Norris, who joined McLaren’s driver academy and development program in 2017, made his official debut with the senior team at the start of the 2019 season.
Starting alongside experienced teammate Carlos Sainz, Norris has steadily improved and is now competing at the highest level, aiming to secure his first world championship. This season, he has played a pivotal role in McLaren’s efforts to win their first Constructors’ Championship since 1998. At the Qatar Grand Prix in 2024, Norris is poised to become McLaren’s record-holder for most race starts in Formula 1, currently positioned second with 142 appearances—just nine short of surpassing David Coulthard’s tally of 150 races from 1996 to 2004.
On his Instagram story, Damon Hill simply described Norris’ milestone as:
“Extraordinary.” —Damon Hill, Former F1 World Champion
Lando Norris Reflects on His 2025 Season Progress and Challenges
Reflecting on his performance in the first half of the 2025 season, Lando Norris admitted that he did not meet his own expectations before turning things around with his victory in Austria. Following his fourth win of the year in Hungary, Norris candidly told F1.com that the early season was “not good enough.”
“[It was] not good enough, so in a harsh way, I would say I was pretty average before then. Since then, I think things have been a lot stronger. I still want more, still need to be a lot better, and I’m not as good as where I would like to be, but a lot of improvements have been made. I think I’m in a much better place, I’m happier with the car – things like that.”
“I’ve been working hard, but I can do a lot more than I have been doing, so, for that reason, just more of the progress that I have been making. Earlier in the season, Norris spoke of how he had been spending time off social media, a move that he felt had allowed him to ‘do things that are productive.'”
Earlier this season, Norris trailed his McLaren teammate and championship contender Oscar Piastri by as much as 32 points. However, strong recent form, including three wins in the last four races, has narrowed the deficit to just nine points, keeping Norris firmly in the fight for his maiden world championship with 10 races and three Sprint events left in the season.
Significance of Norris’ Progress and its Impact on McLaren’s Future
Lando Norris moving closer to becoming McLaren’s all-time leader in race starts represents more than just a personal milestone; it highlights his growing influence within the team and his rising status among top drivers in Formula 1. His resilience and recent race wins demonstrate significant growth, contributing heavily to McLaren’s strong championship campaign.
As Norris continues to challenge his teammate Oscar Piastri for the drivers’ title, his record-breaking run signals a promising era for McLaren following years of rebuilding. Achieving the most starts for the team cements his legacy alongside McLaren greats like David Coulthard, while a potential world championship would further elevate his standing in the sport.