Lando Norris not in F1 for records after breaking Lewis Hamilton honour

Lando Norris

Norris not in F1 for records after breaking Hamilton honour

Both British drivers raced for McLaren when scoring their maiden podium results

Sam Hall

Monday 6 July 2020 16:37 Updated: 16:55

Lando Norris is happy to become the youngest Briton to stand on a Formula 1 podium but says he is not in the sport for records.

Heading into the 2020 F1 season, talk focused on the records that Lewis Hamilton could break. Few considered the records he might lose.

Hamilton is not even in the top 10 youngest podium finishers, scoring his first on debut in 2007 at the age of 22 years and 70 days, but he did hold the British record.

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However, aged 20 years and 235 days, Norris has taken this record as his own, also becoming the third-youngest driver overall to spray the champagne.

"Just being on the podium, no matter what other scenario there is, unless it’s probably the youngest-ever winner or something like that, then I think I’m just very happy to be on the podium in the first place," said Norris.

"But for something to come along with it, it’s an added bonus, but it’s not like I’ve gone out of my way to beat these records or anything.

"I think it’s really a bonus that comes along with hard work and getting the podium in the first place.

"So, yeah, it’s an extra, and it’s nice to know something’s written down and there’s a little extra that goes along with my first podium but at the end of the day it’s not the sole objective for why I’m here in Formula 1."

Only record holder Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll have been younger than Norris when first stepping onto the podium, both aged 18, with Verstappen 11 days younger than the Canadian.

Norris added: "It’s not just to break records, it’s to try to win races in the first place and try to do well. It’s a nice record to have, I’m proud of it but I’m happier to just be on the podium, rather than breaking any record."

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