As The Race reports, the memory of Lando Norris losing his maiden victory at the 2021 Russian Grand Prix in Sochi is frequently misunderstood. Far from being a disaster born of poor judgment, that afternoon actually highlighted his supreme capacity in low-grip conditions, a point underscored by a commanding wet-dry-wet triumph from pole position at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Of course, variables played their part at Interlagos. George Russell ran into traffic courtesy of Alex Albon during his final Q3 push, and early leader Kimi Antonelli battled difficulties during the grand prix itself. Yet none of that dampens the sheer finesse and adaptability Lando Norris displayed on track.
He might not have held the outright fastest pace at every single moment, but he was always right in the mix, echoing the exact speed that had him on course to conquer Sochi before the heavens opened with a second wave of rain. His wet résumé runs deep. That includes four victories in rain-affected grands prix—with Zandvoort counted this year due to damp patches early on—alongside brilliant qualifying efforts like his 2024 China sprint and Brazilian Grand Prix poles, a sensational recovery halted by untimely safety cars in Canada two years ago, and even a Las Vegas pole last year secured despite a massive slide near the end of the lap.
Following the Interlagos victory, McLaren team principal Stella offered high praise for his driver. “When Lando operates at his best, he's definitely one of the best drivers on the grid,” said McLaren team principal Stella after Norris’s Interlagos win. “When you have mixed variable conditions, he is one of the fastest in finding the limit. You have seen this today [at Interlagos] as well. When the track was in the middle between dry and wet was when he was probably gaining most on anybody else. He’s very sensitive in understanding how much grip is available. Very, I would say, even complete as a driver from a technical point of view in terms of understanding how to deploy his tools to use the grip that is available, or to adapt to the balance of the car.”
Naturally, a team boss is bound to talk up his driver. But eight seasons of Formula 1 data back up the claim, even if Lando Norris remains strangely underrated by some despite holding a world championship and 14 wins. While he might not match the relentless consistency of Max Verstappen, his pure driving skill in treacherous weather puts him in an elite tier.
Naturally, the record isn't spotless. Beyond the Sochi misconceptions, detractors can point to a heavy crash at Eau Rouge during Q3 at Spa in 2021 after dominating the earlier qualifying sessions, or a difficult wet race from pole in Brazil in 2024. On that latter occasion, Stella noted that brake-locking issues stemmed more from car characteristics than driver error.
More rain is guaranteed in Formula 1's future, and with it more chances for brilliance. While Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton rightly claim the mantle of the grid's premier rain masters, Sunday proved that Lando Norris belongs firmly in that conversation.
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