Sainz Praises Norris's Unwavering Speed and Consistency, Albon Highlights Composure Amidst Title Fight
Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon have lauded Lando Norris's exceptional speed and mental composure, respectively, as he heads into the F1 season finale with a 12-point lead. Sainz, Norris's former McLaren teammate, highlighted the Briton's consistent development across all tracks, while Albon praised his near-flawless performance under title pressure, signaling a formidable evolution in Norris's driving prowess.
Carlos Sainz believes Lando Norris possesses "nothing left in his tank" regarding raw speed, affirming his place among F1's elite drivers. Having been Norris's teammate at McLaren, Sainz highlights the Briton's remarkable development in consistency across various tracks. Alex Albon echoed this sentiment, commending Norris's calm and near-flawless performance during his maiden championship battle.
Why it matters:
Lando Norris is currently leading the F1 championship by 12 points heading into the Abu Dhabi season finale, closely followed by Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri. This marks Norris's first major title contention, making his mental fortitude and consistent performance under pressure crucial. The insights from former teammates Sainz and Albon underscore the evolution of Norris from a raw talent to a well-rounded contender, a transformation vital for any driver aiming for an F1 world championship.
The Details:
- Sainz's Assessment of Speed: Carlos Sainz, who partnered with Norris at McLaren in 2019 and 2020, asserts that Norris's innate speed is as quick as anyone on the grid, and even quicker on his best days. Sainz compared Norris's pace to that of other top drivers he has raced alongside, including Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen.
- Development in Consistency: While raw speed was always evident, Sainz points to Norris's significant growth in consistency. Norris has improved his performance on tracks where he might have struggled in his earlier years, evolving into an "all-rounder" capable of being quick in diverse circumstances and on every circuit.
- Albon on Composure: Alex Albon has been particularly impressed by Norris's handling of the pressure during the latter half of the season. Albon noted that Norris has made "almost zero mistakes" and appears remarkably relaxed, despite being in his first F1 title fight.
- Championship Experience: Albon reflected that Norris has not had many championship battles in junior categories where he had to fight until the very end, often dominating or not being in contention. This makes his current calm demeanor even more noteworthy as he navigates the high stakes of an F1 world championship.
What's next:
The focus now shifts to the Abu Dhabi season finale, where Lando Norris will aim to convert his 12-point lead into his first Formula 1 World Championship. The insights from his former teammates suggest that Norris is well-equipped both in terms of raw talent and mental resilience to handle the pressure. How he performs in this ultimate test will solidify his reputation as a top-tier driver capable of contending for future titles, regardless of the outcome.