Lando Norris grew up watching Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton dominate Formula 1, idolizing them long before he shared the track with these legends. Since his debut in 2019, the McLaren driver has raced alongside the two-time and seven-time world champions but revealed that it still sometimes feels surreal to be counted among them. The presence of Lewis Hamilton racing hero Lando Norris acknowledges remains a powerful influence in his career.
The Awe of Racing Against Icons
Recalling his early memories, Norris described how he would wake up at odd hours to watch Alonso, Hamilton, and Jenson Button battle on the screen.
“Watching Formula 1, Fernando, Lewis, you know, this is like ’07,”
he said.
“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.”
He admitted there are moments when the reality is still unbelievable:
“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.”
Maintaining Respect Amid Fierce Competition
Norris acknowledged that stepping out of the pits behind Hamilton and Alonso during his Formula 1 debut sparked a sense of starstruck excitement.
“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’.”
Although competition is tough, Norris explained that respect remains intact: “100%,” he said when asked if he still looks 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 Among the Sport’s Greatest
Currently competing for his first drivers‘ championship alongside McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, Norris has made a significant mark with nine race wins, 38 podiums, and 13 pole positions. He reflected on sharing the grid with other Formula 1 greats like Sebastian Vettel and Alonso:
“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.”
Despite his accomplishments, he candidly admitted,
“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.”
The Ongoing Journey of a Rising Star
While Norris has established himself as a serious contender in Formula 1, the sensation of sharing the track with racing heroes like Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso continues to inspire him deeply. His story highlights the blend of awe, respect, and competitive spirit that fuels his pursuit of greatness in the sport’s highest tier. As he fights for his first championship, the mix of admiration and ambition remains a driving force behind his relentless push forward.