Carlos Sainz on Lando Norris: Always Had the Speed, Now Has the Consistency

Carlos Sainz, reflecting on his former teammate Lando Norris's maiden title, has offered high praise for the Briton's evolution as a driver. While Sainz acknowledged Norris's "unbelievable" raw speed was evident from their McLaren days together, he argues the key to his championship success was transforming that one-lap pace into year-long consistency. The Spaniard believes Norris has developed into a true "all-rounder," capable of being quick on any track.

Why it matters:

Sainz's perspective is uniquely valuable, having raced alongside not only Norris but also fellow champions Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. His comments serve as a powerful validation of Norris's elite speed, placing him firmly in the same tier as the sport's best. It also highlights a crucial F1 narrative: raw talent is common, but the consistency and adaptability to master diverse conditions is what forges a champion.

The details:

• Raw Speed from Day One: Sainz stated he immediately noticed Norris's "unbelievable skill to drive the car at the limit" and put together qualifying laps during their time as teammates.
• Peer Comparison: "I've been team-mates with Charles, with Max, Lando... I can tell you Lando has nothing left in his tank in terms of speed. His speed is as quick as anyone and even quicker than anyone on his good day."
• The Key Development: Sainz emphasized that Norris didn't get faster, but more consistent. "What he's developed the most is that consistency through the year, being strong on tracks that maybe he wasn't that strong in his first couple of years."
• Becoming an All-Rounder: "Now he's more of an all-rounder for sure... it's all about developing the skills of how to be quick in every type of corner or in every type of track."

The big picture:

Sainz's analysis paints a clear picture of Norris's journey to the top. It wasn't about finding more speed, but about harnessing his innate talent and applying it relentlessly across every Grand Prix weekend. This evolution from a blisteringly fast qualifier to a complete, championship-winning driver underscores the maturity and experience required to conquer the modern F1 grid.