When Lando Norris was signed up by McLaren in 2018, to replace Stoffel Vandoorne for the 2019 Formula 1 season, it certainly got people's attention. Norris had shown a lot of promise in his junior career, although his 2018 F2 campaign had only yielded the one win by the time McLaren promoted him from their young driver program. However, anyone who doubted this signing was left to eat their words after the 2019 season, in which Norris helped to elevate McLaren, with teammate Carlos Sainz, to fourth in the constructors standings.

Norris and Sainz would go one better for McLaren in 2020 as the team was able to finish the season in third place, fending off a hard challenge from the Racing Point team. The 2021 season will probably see McLaren drop to fourth in the standings, but the season has still been remarkable. Daniel Ricciardo, who replaced Ferrari bound Sainz, led Norris for a McLaren 1-2 in Monza and Norris himself has taken additional podiums in Imola, Austria and Monaco. And, he took pole in Russia, which was a race he should have won. Norris is surely destined for great things at McLaren. Here’s why.

The Gradual And Consistent Rise Of Norris

Lando Norris 2019 German Grand Prix
via F1li

Since Norris was signed up by McLaren for the 2019 season, there has been a steady and upward trajectory in terms of his pace, consistency and race craft. Whilst his speed in 2019 was clearly on show, the consistency wasn’t quite there, and he was slightly hesitant at times, particularly on opening laps. But as a rookie, that’s to be expected, and the fact he was able to easily live with the pace of Sainz, a well-regarded former Red Bull junior, was a clear indicator of what was to come.

Lando Norris Podium Austria 2020
via Sky Sports

Then came the opening round of 2020. Norris put in one of the best drives of his career to take his first podium with third place in Austria, after a time penalty for Lewis Hamilton, and that helped set the tone of the year. Norris would put in plenty of gutsy drives, such as the fourth at Monza and Bahrain, and fifth in Abu Dhabi. He had shown more consistency than in 2019 and was clearly much more aggressive and combative in wheel-to-wheel fights. The question was, though, how would he fare against Daniel Ricciardo in 2021?

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Norris Puts Ricciardo In The Shade

Lando Norris - 2021 Bahrain GP
via Formula 1

The answer to that, was he would fare brilliantly. Norris started 2021 with fourth in Bahrain before taking another podium in Imola. He would take a podium at Monaco in the Gulf liveried McLaren, and another in Austria after starting from the front row. The consistency Norris showed at the start of the year was incredible. In the first ten races, he finished outside the top ten just once, and only a Bottas bowling display in Hungary ruined his points run. He was clearly the main man for McLaren, as Daniel Ricciardo struggled to adjust to the MCL35M.

Lando Norris - Daniel Ricciardo - Monza 2021
via Autosport

Ricciardo though has become more acclimatized to the McLaren as the year has gone on, which resulted in that unbelievable victory for himself and McLaren at Monza this year. Norris came home in second, which was still a brilliant result and his best ever, but he then could have won the following race. Norris took a sensational pole in the wet-dry conditions at Russia, before ironically rain, and a botched call to not pit for intermediates, saw him finish just seventh at the checkered flag as Lewis Hamilton won. By all accounts, Norris should be a race winner at this point, but his time will come. There is no doubt about that. And with Ricciardo hopefully more bedded into the team ahead of 2022, McLaren could be on fire.

Building Upon His 2021 Season

Lando Norris Podium Monza 2021
via Daily Sabbah

Norris now has to build upon this incredible 2021 season. Sure, it's not going to end in P3 in the standings for the team again after an iffy run the last few races. But we have all seen enough to know Norris is the real deal. With the 2022 cars though comes a great reset, and it’s a reset that should allow Ricciardo to be fully adjusted to however this new McLaren drives. If Ricciardo can get the 2022 car more underneath than he could the 2021 MCL35M, the next step for Norris will be to keep on matching and beating the Australian.

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What Lies Ahead For Norris

Lando Norris Bahrain 2021
via Planet F1

This is difficult to answer, as we need to see the 2022 competitive order. But let's say the McLaren is a car that can fight for wins, maybe even the title, next year. Race victories? Surely they will come, as Russia showed he’s got it in him. A championship, should McLaren deliver the car, surely isn’t out of the question either. And remember, Norris is signed up to McLaren long term, as is Ricciardo. Beating Ricciardo in the same, race winning car will be a big achievement for Norris. He is destined for great things with this team. They just need to give him the equipment to allow that destiny to be fulfilled.

Sources: Formula 1, Goodwood, F1li, Sky Sports, Autosport, Daily Sabbah, Planet F1