Sainz Praises Norris' Development: 'Nothing Left in His Tank in Terms of Speed'
Carlos Sainz has lavished praise on Lando Norris, highlighting the McLaren driver's incredible speed, maturity, and resilience as Norris enters the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix leading the championship by 12 points. Sainz, who was Norris's teammate at McLaren, believes this title challenge is the natural outcome of Norris's consistent development, particularly his newfound ability to perform exceptionally in all conditions. He asserts that Norris's raw speed is unmatched and that his growth into an all-rounder makes him a formidable contender.
Carlos Sainz has offered high praise for Lando Norris' evolution as an F1 driver, commending the McLaren star's combination of raw pace, maturity, and resilience. This comes as Norris heads into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with a 12-point lead over Max Verstappen in the championship fight.
For Sainz, now at Williams but once Norris' McLaren teammate, this title challenge is not a surprise. Instead, he views it as the culmination of qualities he observed early on, which Norris has since refined to perfection.
Why it matters:
- After years of consistent performance, Lando Norris's emergence as a genuine title contender underscores his transformation into one of F1's elite drivers. His ability to lead a championship fight against a formidable opponent like Max Verstappen signifies a potential shift in the sport's competitive dynamics and solidifies McLaren's resurgence.
- This battle also highlights the importance of driver development, as Sainz's insights reveal a deliberate and earned evolution rather than a sudden rise.
The details:
- Early Recognition: Sainz immediately recognized Norris's exceptional talent during their two-year partnership at McLaren (2019-2020), specifically highlighting his "unbelievable skill to drive the car at the limit and put together really good qualifying laps."
- Unmatched Speed: Sainz, having been teammates with top drivers like Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Norris, stated, "Lando has nothing left in his tank in terms of speed. I think his speed is as quick as anyone and quicker even than anyone on his good day."
- Consistency is Key: Sainz emphasized that Norris's most significant development has been in consistency throughout the year, performing strongly even on tracks where he might have struggled in his earlier career. This newfound all-roundedness allows him to be quick "in every circumstance, at every track."
- Maturity through Experience: Norris's ability to maintain high performance across diverse conditions is a skill that comes with increased experience, transforming him into a more complete driver.
The big picture:
Lando Norris's journey from a promising young talent to a championship contender illustrates the rigorous demands of Formula 1. His evolution, as detailed by former teammate Carlos Sainz, is a testament to persistent self-improvement and the ability to leverage raw speed with refined race craft. This development not only bodes well for Norris's individual career but also signals McLaren's return to the top echelon of F1, capable of challenging for titles.
What's next:
As the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix approaches, all eyes will be on Norris and Verstappen to see if Norris can convert his consistent performances and refined skills into a championship victory. His readiness, as affirmed by those who know him best, sets the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the season.