Lando Norris labels Carlos Sainz ‘one of the best drivers in Formula 1’. Lando labels Carlos 'one of the best drivers in F1'.

“Charles Leclerc was ‘demystified’ by Carlos Sainz”. The words of Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko state an opinion that is evidently not isolated, but has rather been noted by several observers and protagonists of Formula 1. This is also the opinion of one driver who knew Carlos Sainz very well, before separating at the end of the 2020 Formula One season: it is Lando Norris, who was the Spanish driver’s teammate in McLaren and therefore knows his strengths and weaknesses perfectly.

|I think my second year in Formula 1 was good. Carlos, I believe, is one of the best drivers in Formula 1. It also didn’t make me look as good, because he’s an extremely good driver, and he did a very good job – like, fair play to him. I think I got shadowed a bit by him, because he was doing an exceptional job. I think this year I’ve taken that next step which would have been the same or maybe a bit better than him.” – Lando Norris said, in a recent interview for Autosport.

“I always had the motivation to want to beat Carlos” – the McLaren driver added – “At the same time, with Daniel, I didn’t feel nervous in any way when he came. A lot of people thought maybe I did, or asked the question, because he’s a multiple race winner he’s got podiums. Everyone knows what Daniel is capable of because he’s been in a car that’s won races. Whereas with Carlos, no-one knew as much what he was capable of, because he’s been in a Toro Rosso, a Renault and a McLaren. More and more people are actually realising what he is actually capable of, and the kind of driver he is when he’s gone up against Charles and beaten up him quite often.” – Lando Norris concluded. In reality, when it comes to a direct comparison between the Maranello team’s drivers, the Monegasque has a 14-6 advantage over Carlos Sainz when both Ferrari driver arrived at the finish line, while in qualifying the balance is 13-9. Carlos Sainz, however, was able to capitalize on his perseverance, luck and fast thinking in several key moments, but also showing – it must be said – a lot of quality, especially considering that he drove a Ferrari car for the first time in the 2021 Formula One saason.