A chat with Bristol motorsporting success story Lando Norris

followers, helping bring a new fanbase to Formula One, and he keeps them equally entertained with his off-track antics. He shaved his head live on Twitch, raising thousands for the World Health Organisation’s Covid-19 Solidarity Respond Fund in the process, and has encouraged other drivers such as Verstappen to be more active in terms of fan engagement and show their less serious side while racing everything from lorries to lawnmowers online.

On the very last lap of the Austrian Grand Prix, he managed to seal his first F1 fastest lap and become the third youngest F1 podium finisher ever

It’s important to be relatable and attract the next generation, he agrees, especially to a sport that has largely been seen as elitist, but it’s not something that’s ever asked of him by McLaren. “I enjoy doing it –it’s not something I have to do. I streamed quite regularly when I was at home – obviously it’s bit harder to do now – and because a lot of the supporters like it, I’ve made the most of it with the charity streams for various organisations which has gone down really well and raised a decent amount of money so I’m very happy.

“It’s not something that every driver goes around trying to do; it depends what you want to achieve. It’s just something I like to do and if something that comes along with that is that it attracts some new fans and young kids who are getting into racing, that’s an extra bonus. It’s very easy to do.”

For someone for whom being personable and providing quality live digital content comes naturally, maybe – the more media-shy among pro drivers might be less readily inclined to agree – and especially when the good times keep rolling with Sainz.

The McLaren tears around the track against a picturesque backdrop during the Styrian Grand Prix

“We’ve had a lot of laughs, at the race track and away doing different activities with McLaren, sponsor events and so on – we both have just enjoyed our time in Formula One. When you have two teammates who enjoy it as much as we do you get this friendship where we respect each other and just want to enjoy our lives, whether we’re at the track or away from it. You see it on social media, you see it on videos and clips, and that’s just us, you know.

“You don’t get it with every teammate, some are more quiet and don’t talk so you don’t get to see that side but I’ve always got on with my teammates and I think Carlos has changed quite a bit over the last two years since joining McLaren and being my teammate. It’s been a great journey for both of us so of course we’ll miss him, with the banter and the fun we’ve had together, but it’s life and we’re moving on with another cool teammate coming in.”

Having got off to a flying start alongside Sainz (who is now due to move to Ferrari to replace Vettel), change is on the horizon, with Daniel Ricciardo poised to join McLaren in 2021. Needless, perhaps, to say, laidback Lando isn’t too nervous about a potentially different team dynamic. “We’ll have to wait and see, but in the last few years [McLaren has] already changed a lot so I don’t think there’s going to be huge change; there’s a much better structure in place than there was a few years ago so now it’s more fine tuning and continuous development rather than changing the atmosphere of everything.” That, at the moment, is very good he says, especially since he and Carlos joined in 2019. “There was a big step up in morale, a lot of it from us being more involved in the team, showing a little bit more respect to everyone and going round to all the different departments that work on the car – because it’s long hours, it’s a lot of work to produce the two Formula One cars that we drive and it’s not easy, you know, so we have to keep supporting everyone who is part of it, everyone back in MTC [McLaren Technology Centre] spending those hours into development and improving the car.

“Doing that has really helped morale, so you get better performance, even better atmosphere, and it’s kind of a circle. Things have got a lot better over the last few years and especially this year.”

Born in Bristol, Lando was schooled at Millfield in Somerset and

despite his hectic international schedule, and his recent decision to eschew a move to glamorous millionaires’ playground Monaco in favour of a new pad in Woking to be close to McLaren HQ, he gets back to the South West now and again. “I did go back a few weeks ago in one of the breaks between races. It was the first time since February or March that I had been to Somerset. My family and friends are there, it’s where my dad’s office is, so there are a lot of people there supporting me. I love going back; it’s so quiet and peaceful compared to where I live, where, you know, I have a next-door neighbour! When I go home and live with my parents our next-door neighbour is nowhere close and we have more space and some gardens and fields full of horses so there’s much more greenery around me than the little garden I have now.”

Traditionally, budding young drivers have needed a fair bit of money behind them to be able to go far in professional racing, although the leading likes of Lewis Hamilton have vowed to help Formula One become more diverse and accessible to those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Lando’s father Adam Norris made his millions at Bristol firm Hargreaves Lansdown which allowed him to support his son in the sport, after he initially developed a love for motorcycle racing and later switched to karting. There’s not a trace of haughtiness or entitled virtuoso despite the privileged background; rather, likeability, deference and an approachable, down-to-earth nature appear to be the hallmarks of the friendly young face of Formula One’s future – as many have pegged him.

Speaking of what could be further ahead, Lando, like Lewis, is fully behind improving diversity in racing – and is seeing gradual change.“ It’s obviously a big talking point at the moment and it’s something that’s continuously evolving and changing especially now within Formula One,” he says. “I’m happy to be part of it, promote it and do what I can and show my respect to everyone that deserves it. It’s something which has grown a lot and it’s really good for everyone in F1, showing that we can use all of our platforms, not just in terms of F1 as a show that you watch on TV, but using social media and followers and promoting it that way. But I’m happy with the way it’s going, it’s something I respect greatly.” ■ • Follow Lando Norris on Twitter/Twitch/Instagram: @LandoNorris Lando’s playful partnership with Sainz is one of the biggest bromances on the circuit (Zak Mauger/ Motorsport Images)

Making a stop in the MCL35 (Glenn Dunbar/Motorsport Images)

Beautiful evening for a drive... Barcelona day one, test two (Mark Sutton/Motorsport Images)