Norris spent two seasons with Sainz at McLaren before the Spaniard joined Ferrari for 2021, where he became partner with Charles Leclerc.
Sainz enjoyed his most successful season in F1 last year, claiming four podiums ahead of Norris and Leclerc in sixth and seventh on his way to fifth in the Drivers’ Championship.
Sainz’s performances have prompted Ferrari to already seek talks to extend his contract beyond the current term at the end of 2022.
Norris also enjoyed a fruitful 2021 season as he scored his maiden F1 pole in Russia and almost won the race. He took four podiums, including a second place at Monza.
Discussing his own progress in his third F1 season in 2021, McLaren driver Norris said the step he took in his second year in 2020 was perhaps less obvious given Sainz’s good performance.
“I think my sophomore year was good,” Norris told Autosport.
“I think Carlos is one of the best drivers in F1. It didn’t make me look that good either because he’s an extremely good driver and did a very good job – like fair play for him.
“I think I was shadowed a bit by him because he did an exceptional job. I think this year I took the next step that would have been the same or maybe a little bit better than him.”
Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari, 3rd place, raises his trophy
Photo by: Jerry Andre / Motorsport Images
Norris attributed his own progress to “a combination of understanding over the past few years” as well as an upgraded car that he felt more confident driving to his limits.
Norris also cited the arrival of his new teammate Daniel Ricciardo as helping him take a step forward, motivating him to try and prove himself against an established Grand Prix winner.
The British driver thought it was a similar story for Sainz when he faced off at Ferrari against Leclerc, who was widely heralded as a future F1 champion.
“I always had the motivation to want to beat Carlos,” Norris said.
“At the same time, I wasn’t nervous at all with Daniel when he came on. A lot of people thought maybe I did or asked the question because he’s a multiple race winner and has podiums.
“Everyone knows what Daniel is capable of because he has driven in a car that has won races. Whereas with Carlos nobody really knew what he was capable of because he drove in a Toro Rosso, a Renault and a McLaren.
“More and more people are actually realizing what he’s actually capable of and what kind of driver he is when he’s going up against Charles and beating him up quite a lot.”
