Not too long ago, during a rainy practice session at the US Grand Prix in Austin, Norris playfully offered Alonso a cup of tea. Yet, it didn’t take long before he was no longer the apprentice in the shadow of others.
Back in 2019, Norris hit the ground running in his rookie season by going toe-to-toe with Carlos Sainz, who already had four years under his belt. And when Daniel Ricciardo, a seven-time race winner, joined the team in 2021, Norris swiftly overshadowed the seasoned Australian.
Meanwhile, Alonso made his F1 comeback after a couple of years exploring other racing avenues. The camaraderie between him and Norris was evident when they exchanged helmets. Alonso’s parting message to Norris was simple yet profound: “You are a star – a rock star.”
Norris didn’t just win fans over with his driving prowess but also with his relatable, humorous demeanor. On social media, he showed his authentic self, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he would livestream his gaming sessions. This move helped him carve out a niche for his gaming and lifestyle brand, Quadrant.
McLaren’s Zak Brown reflects, “Initially, he was pretty shy and still sort of is in his own way. While he may seem outgoing, deep down, he remains a bit reserved. But as he’s grown, he’s learned to embrace who he is.”
From the start, Norris displayed confidence. Meeting him at the tender age of 14, Brown observed not just his growth as a driver but also his maturity as a leader. His confidence on the racetrack has only amplified with time.
Breaking into the upper echelons of F1 hasn’t been a swift journey for Norris. In the early years, McLaren’s car wasn’t exactly at the top of the pack. Yet, there were glimpses of brilliance, like during the 2021 Russian Grand Prix, where he was on the brink of victory before the weather got the better of him.
Norris chose to stay loyal to McLaren, renewing his contract twice despite Red Bull’s interest. Brown attributes this loyalty to the relationships, honesty, and the clear direction McLaren presented. “This place has been his home from the start,” Brown remarked.
The turning point came in 2023, following a significant change in McLaren’s engineering setup, spearheaded by Andrea Stella, who took over as team principal in December. The first visible improvement was a top-notch upgrade introduced at the Austrian Grand Prix in July, catapulting McLaren from midfield contenders to serious challengers to the reigning giants, Red Bull.
