Sainz sees special strength in Norris: 'Makes him improve more than others'
F1 News
Lando Norris is Max Verstappen's biggest challenger in the current Formula 1 season. Verstappen still has a comfortable 52-point lead in the drivers' world championship. The Bristol-born driver, however, is gaining on the Dutchman ever so slightly race by race. Carlos Sainz, the Ferrari driver who raced alongside Norris at McLaren in 2019 and 2020, sees this special strength within his ex-teammate.
Sainz: Norris' self-critical approach helps him 'improve'
"I think being hard on himself and self-critical is a strength that Lando has," Sainz began. "And I think it makes him improve more than others, quicker. At least in our first year together, he had very strong progress in the first two years by having that approach. I think the problem when you're up there at the front is that you're in the spotlight, and every small mistake is more noticeable," the Spaniard said.
The pair split up after Sainz decided to move to Ferrari for the 2021 season. His four-season stint with the Italian team is coming to an end. Sainz will pilot Williams' 2025 challenger, whereas seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton will take his seat at Ferrari.
Sainz: 'You're always judged for your last race in F1'
Throughout the Formula One season, it became clear that Norris's kryptonite was starting races. Before the Singapore Grand Prix, Norris started from pole position five times but was unable to hold his lead for an entire lap on every single occasion. Sainz, too, noticed that things can turn around quickly.
"And the problem again is that it only counts the last race. When it comes to only the last race as a driver, you're always going to be judged. After Zandvoort, he was a hero. He was going to walk away with it. He managed to pass Max in the race, even after a difficult start. After Monza, critics come back. If I would have to say, just focus on your own year," the Ferrari driver concluded.
This article was written in collaboration with Esteban den Toom.
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