Norris: I wasn't sure I had what it takes

  • Published on 28 Nov 2019 11:24
  • comments 3
  • By: Dieter Rencken & Fergal Walsh

Lando Norris admits that he was not entirely convinced that he had what it takes to succeed in Formula 1 ahead of his rookie season. 

Norris joined McLaren alongside Carlos Sainz for the 2019 campaign as the team completely rebooted its line-up following a difficult 2018 season.

With one round left to go, McLaren has already secured fourth in the constructors' championship and took its first podium since 2014 last time out in Brazil.

The relationship between Norris and his teammate Carlos Sainz has been a major talking point this season, as the two publicly share a strong partnership.

However, Norris states that he wasn't sure that he had the speed to be able to keep up with Sainz, who had four years of experience before the start of the season, as well as other drivers on the grid.  

"There's been a lot of good things," Norris said of his rookie year. "Coming into the season, I wasn't very confident with how I was going to do. I'm happy I proved myself wrong, having done a good job and been able to give myself more confidence."

When asked about what his doubts were, Norris replied: "If I was going to be good enough. Simple as that. I didn't know if I was going to be quick enough going up against a driver who has done four years in F1.

"Just in Formula 1, against so many good drivers, I didn't know if I was going to be able to do a good enough job every time. I just didn't believe in myself much."

However, Norris says that he gained confidence right from the start of the season in Australia, before he impressed in Bahrain, picking up his first points by crossing the line in sixth place. 

"But already after Australia, Bahrain and so on, I already gained a lot of confidence from that. It was simply just not knowing if I was going to be able to keep up.

"If I was suffering from the same things, I probably wouldn't have said it, but because I'm more confident and the team is more confident in me... it's one of the things I've been happy about, that I've been able to do that."

Replies (3)

Login to reply
  • JuJuHound

    Posts: 352

    After Renault episode I wasn't sure of Sainz being able to match pace at McLaren. I feel so stupid right now having doubts against him. I thought Norris will destroy him in 2019. I'm so happy it didn't happen. Sainz, after Max and Lewis are the best drivers of 2019 for me. What can I say... he is a smooooooth operator :D.

    Norris? He needs to beat Sainz in 2020. I think he is able to do it. But no doubts, Carlos wont make it that easy.

    • + 0
    • Nov 28 2019 - 11:58
    • Lando has a bright future. I think he might be a superstar. Sainz was just amazing this season. Also, Lando had some serious bad luck. He was robbed of several point finishes through reliability and bad strategy.

      • + 0
      • Nov 28 2019 - 16:18
  • McLaren have a really sharp lineup right now. Look forward to see them next year.

    • + 0
    • Nov 28 2019 - 20:22

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team McLaren
  • Points 964
  • Podiums 25
  • Grand Prix 125
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Nov 13 1999 (25)
  • Place of b. Glastonbury, GB
  • Weight 64 kg
  • Length 1.7 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar