With his podium result at the São Paulo Grand Prix, Lando Norris
matched an unwanted record in Formula 1. His run to second place
was his seventh of the season as McLaren continues its strong
turnaround after a dismal start to the campaign. Norris’ run of
podiums began at the British Grand Prix earlier this season after
McLaren introduced upgrades in Austria to combat its slow
commencement to the year. His result in Brazil also marked the 13th
podium of Norris’ career, placing him level with Nick Heidfeld who
departed the F1 field in 2011. Heidfeld has long held the record of
the most F1 podiums without a Grand Prix win, and now he has been
matched by Norris as he is yet to take to the top step of the
podium. Norris’ best chance Norris’ best chance of a race win came
at the 2021 Russian Grand Prix, where he started from pole
position. Late rain in the race caused several drivers to pull into
the pits while Norris opted to stay out on slick tyres in an
attempt to see out the remaining laps. However, as the rain
intensified, Norris slipped off the track with Lewis Hamilton
taking the victory while Norris crossed the line in seventh place.
McLaren’s pace in the second half of the season has been such that
it is likely that Norris will have another chance to get onto the
podium in the final two races. Norris would therefore make the
record his own provided he doesn’t finish on the top step of the
podium. McLaren has struggled to contend for race victories this
year despite its strong turnaround amid Red Bull’s strong dominant
season. Should Norris emerge victorious in a race in the future he
would strip himself from the unwanted record.
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