Formula One McLaren MCL35 the latest stop in a 'long journey' for Lando Norris

McLaren

MCL35 the latest stop in a 'long journey' for Norris

Norris wants to add to McLaren history

Sam Hall

Thursday 13 February 2020 15:44

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Lando Norris sees the 2020 Formula One season with McLaren as the next steop in a journey that he has been taking since he was 'six or seven'.

McLaren returned from the wilderness in 2019. Having been recovering from dropping to the back of the field in 2015 when switching to Honda power, McLaren sealed the title of 'best of the rest' in 2019, finishing behind the three teams that have dominated Formula One for the past decade.

At the McLaren Technology Centre, visitors and team members are given a clear reminder of the successes of McLaren's history, the boulevard of championship winning or iconic cars and trophies spelling out a history that both Carlos Sainz and Norris are keen to add to.

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"From my side it's just a privilege," said Sainz. "It's a huge honour. More or less I come here every Wednesday to do some work with the engineers and every day of the week that I come here I just feel very proud to walk down that boulevard and see all of the cars, all of the numbers, the historical trophies.

"I don't know. Every time I walk down there I just have a smile on my face and it's something that I feel very proud of."

Norris added, "Walking down the boulevard, seeing those cars, seeing the drivers who have been a part of the team, it makes it even more special."

For Norris, now entering his second year racing in Formula One, 2020 is simply a continuation of a dream that began when he was six years old.

"It's been a long journey,"said Norris. "I've been trying to be in this position, or to get to last years position, for around thirteen-fourteen years. From since I was six or seven years old, so it's been awesome.

"I've loved every minute and I wouldn't change it for anything. It's been tough at the same time but yeah, since I was that young, it's the only thing that I've wanted to do."

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Norris out-qualified teammate Sainz across the season in 2019 but weaker performances in the races meant that he missed out on a top ten championship position. With a year of experience under his belt, breaking this barrier will be the target for 2020.