Norris reveals off-track differences between Ricciardo and Sainz

Lando Norris gets on well with his new teammate Daniel Ricciardo, but the Briton says it’s a very different relationship to the one he enjoyed with his former McLaren buddy Carlos Sainz.

Norris and Sainz famously kicked it off during their two years together at the Woking-based outfit, united by a common sense of mischief and humour.

Ricciardo's bouncy and light-hearted personality seemed like the perfect substitute to fill the Spaniard's void following his move to Ferrari.

But while Norris and Ricciardo get along well, the rapport beyond the track is very different to the one he enjoyed with his former side-kick.

"[Daniel and I] still get on well, we still have good laughs, we’re still good mates and everything," Norris explained.

"But one simple thing is our interests away from the circuit are very different. He’s more into making wines and clothing and things and I’m more into golf and Esports and those kinds of things, which Carlos was a bit more into.

"So [Carlos and I would] play golf every now and then and get on the sim and race each other and those kind of things.

"One simple thing of becoming better mates is spending time together and enjoying yourself – and playing golf was one of those things that made a lot of things better."

Norris hit the ground running at the start of the season and hasn't looked back since.

He has comprehensively - and a bit unexpectedly - outpaced his high profile teammate so far. And for good measure, he remains the only driver to have scored points in every single race in 2021.

Ahead of this weekend's Norris was asked whether the change in relationship with his teammate this season had perhaps led him to increase his focus on himself.

In short, is the 21-year-old now indulging in less play and more work?

• Read also: Ricciardo enjoying being pushed by 'strong' Norris

"I’m not sure," he said. "I think I’m focusing more on myself than I have done, focusing on the important things, the things I really need to focus on which is my driving, having a performance like I’m having this year.

"And a part of that… is focusing on things you really need to focus on in order to do a better job, spending time with my engineers, and less time chatting and having fun and things like that.

"But I’m not taking anything away from my enjoyment of Formula 1.

"I still love it and do everything I want to do. There’s just a bigger shift towards the focus and the work ethic side. There definitely has been an effect but I can’t tell you how much."

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