Carlos Sainz has paid glowing tribute to Lando Norris’ development as an F1 driver, praising the McLaren star’s blend of raw pace, maturity and resilience as he heads into Abu Dhabi with a 12-point lead over Max Verstappen in the championship fight.
For Sainz – now at Williams but once Norris’ team-mate at McLaren – this title charge is not a surprise, but rather the culmination of qualities he witnessed early and qualities Norris has refined to perfection.
McLaren’s revival has brought both drivers into contention, with Oscar Piastri sitting just four points behind Verstappen. But it is Norris, in his first major title battle, who has emerged as one of the defining forces of the season – and Sainz sees no mystery in why.
Reflecting on their two-year partnership in 2019 and 2020, Sainz said he immediately recognized Norris’ exceptional talent but believes the Briton has since developed into something even more formidable.
“I think at the time, obviously what I saw immediately from Lando was an unbelievable skill to drive the car at the limit and put together really good qualifying laps,” Sainz told reporters in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
As Quick as Anyone… and Quicker on His Good Day
The Spaniard has had a rare vantage point – having shared garages with Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Norris – and he shared his special insight when comparing the top-tier talent he has encountered.
“Again, I've been team-mates with Charles, with Max, Lando. I've been team-mates with all the top guys on the grid by now, and I can tell you Lando has nothing left in his tank in terms of speed.
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“I think his speed is as quick as anyone and quicker even than anyone on his good day. I think what he's developed the most is that consistency through the year, being strong on tracks that maybe he wasn't that strong in his first couple of years versus me.
“And now when I look at his driving and how strong he is everywhere, he's developed that skill that comes with more experience, which is to be quick in every circumstance, at every track, and now he's more of an all-rounder for sure than what he was in the first few years.
“But I don't think he's any quicker than those two years. When you arrive in F1, you're as quick as you can get, and then it's all about developing the skills of how to be quick in every type of corner or in every type of track.”
For Sainz, Norris’ transformation into a truly complete driver has been steady, deliberate, and entirely earned. The McLaren charger has not simply stumbled into title contention – he has built toward it, layer by layer.
From raw speed to all-round finesse, from flashes of brilliance to week-in, week-out execution, Norris has evolved into the kind of driver capable of fighting for – and winning – a world championship.
And as Abu Dhabi looms, those who know him best are convinced: Norris is ready.
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