George Russell and Lando Norris are known to be best friends. And with Russell moving to Mercedes for the 2022 season, Lando will take this opportunity to see how far he has progressed in the sport with McLaren.
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Russell started his F1 career at Williams and is now switching to the Silver Arrows for the upcoming season after three years. Given that he’s likely to be driving for one of the best teams on the grid, Norris would like to compare himself to his compatriots.
Lando Norris wants to face George Russell in 2022
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Norris has impressed everyone in the Woking team, especially over the course of the 2021 season. Admittedly, Russell also showed what he can do in qualifying and certainly turned heads. After signing for the Brackley-based team, he needs to reach the level that people expect of him. Given that both will be racing Mercedes-powered cars in 2022, Lando is hoping he can battle it out with the Brit.
As quoted by Motorsports.com, Lando said: “First of all, I’m hoping to be able to fight wheel to wheel. If I do that I think we’ll have a good start to 2022. Or it would have started badly!”
Formula One F1 – Dutch Grand Prix – Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort, Netherlands – September 2, 2021 Williams’ George Russell and McLaren’s Lando Norris during the FIA press conference Pool via REUTERS/Andrej Isakovic
“Of course we are optimistic and hope to start the season well and be closer to Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes. Especially at Red Bull and Mercedes. We’ll see over time. I don’t think anyone knows where the others will be at the start of the season.”
“But for that we definitely need to fix things and I don’t think it’s going to be easy. It won’t be easy to catch up, even if there are new rules and such. If I drive against George, we drive against Mercedes. If we drive Mercedes, we did well in the winter,” concluded Norris. (Translated from Turkish via Google)
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The team from Woking trusts in Norris
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Norris has been on the starting lineup since 2019, but his 2021 season was arguably the best. In 2020 he only had one podium. This season, however, the 22-year-old has had four podiums and one pole position. In the drivers’ standings he finished sixth with 160 points.
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Additionally, the Zak Brown-led team have given Norris a new contract, allowing him to drive for McLaren for the 2022 season and beyond. With the new season just around the corner, what are your expectations for the Brit in 2022? Let us know in the comment section below.
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