Norris matches unwanted F1 milestone

With his podium result at the São Paulo Grand Prix, Lando Norris matched an unwanted record in Formula 1. His run to second place was his seventh of the season as McLaren continues its strong turnaround after a dismal start to the campaign. Norris' run of podiums began at the British Grand Prix earlier this season after McLaren introduced upgrades in Austria to combat its slow commencement to the year. His result in Brazil also marked the 13th podium of Norris’ career, placing him level with Nick Heidfeld who departed the F1 field in 2011. Heidfeld has long held the record of the most F1 podiums without a Grand Prix win, and now he has been matched by Norris as he is yet to take to the top step of the podium.

Norris' best chance

Norris’ best chance of a race win came at the 2021 Russian Grand Prix, where he started from pole position. Late rain in the race caused several drivers to pull into the pits while Norris opted to stay out on slick tyres in an attempt to see out the remaining laps. However, as the rain intensified, Norris slipped off the track with Lewis Hamilton taking the victory while Norris crossed the line in seventh place. McLaren’s pace in the second half of the season has been such that it is likely that Norris will have another chance to get onto the podium in the final two races. Norris would therefore make the record his own provided he doesn’t finish on the top step of the podium. McLaren has struggled to contend for race victories this year despite its strong turnaround amid Red Bull’s strong dominant season. Should Norris emerge victorious in a race in the future he would strip himself from the unwanted record.