While Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris have aspirations of fighting for podiums, wins and perhaps even the Formula 1 title (in the case of the former) in 2023, there are some unwanted records the duo can achieve...
Charles Leclerc - most pole positions without a title
It is arguable that Charles Leclerc is the outright fastest driver in Formula 1 over a single lap on a Saturday afternoon. The Ferrari driver claimed a season-high nine pole positions across the 2022 season, although he could only convert two of those into victories - in Bahrain and Australia. Thanks to a variety of reliability, strategic and operational errors, Leclerc was stymied in his pursuit of the world championship - eventually being drawn into a battle with Sergio Perez for the runner-up spot. The Monegasque currently holds 18 pole positions without a world crown on his CV - with the record being that of Valtteri Bottas and his 20 at Mercedes. It is unlikely the Finn will add to his tally or challenge for the championship in 2023, meaning that Leclerc only needs three poles to prompt a change in the history books. Fortunately, even if he does surpass 20 poles over the course of the season, he can always transfer it back to Bottas if and when he does become World Champion.
Lando Norris - most points without a win
Arguably, the two unwanted records Norris can claim should both have been written off at the 2021 Russian Grand Prix - and revolve around him taking a first victory in F1. First up, is the possibility that he can become the driver with the most amount of points never to have won a Grand Prix - but this is a moving target. Prior to the season starting, Norris has 428 career points, a nice average of 107 from his four year career. The record for most points without a win is 521, currently held by Nico Hulkenberg - who himself returns to a full-time race with Haas. It means the record could move depending on how Hulkenberg does, but should Norris out-score Hulkenberg by 94 points, he will assume one unwanted record.
Norris - most podiums without a win
Norris was set to take that maiden Grand Prix win at Sochi in 2021, leading the race in the closing laps from a charging Lewis Hamilton. However, Hamilton elected to pit for wets as the rain moved in, Norris opting to brave it on slicks - ultimately the wrong decision. He would finish seventh - as his best chance to date of standing on the top spot was washed away. The Briton currently has six podiums to his name - the most of any active driver without that W in the win column. To beat this particular record, the McLaren driver would need to haul eight podiums to leapfrog Nick Heidfeld's 13. Heidfeld, like Norris, has a best result of second place, but 'Quick Nick' was never quite the quickest driver on a Sunday. Given Norris only took one podium in 2022, this is quite a stretch, but something he is capable of delivering. He'll be hoping that one of them podiums is translated into hearing "God Save The King" for himself for the first time.
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