Lando Norris reflects on becoming McLaren's most enduring driver as the team approaches its 1000th race milestone at the Monaco Grand Prix. Despite recent successes, Norris remains cautiously optimistic about repeating last year's victory.
As McLaren readies itself for its 1000th Formula 1 race at the Monaco Grand Prix, Lando Norris has taken a moment to appreciate his own landmark with the team. The British driver recently surpassed David Coulthard's 150-race record for McLaren, having now completed 156 starts.
"It's amazing," Norris, McLaren's reigning World Champion, admitted. "When I started, my dream was just to be part of F1, and McLaren was where I wanted to be. I never thought I'd be the driver with the most starts for them." Despite a general dislike for statistics, this particular one brings him pride, placing him among the ranks of McLaren's legendary drivers.
Norris, who debuted in 2019, has been a key player in McLaren's recent resurgence. The team has clinched back-to-back Constructors' Championships in 2024 and 2025 and helped Norris secure his first Drivers' title last year. "I've been lucky to help McLaren rise from some tough years," Norris reflected, "and I hope to keep that going."
Looking back, Norris's first Monaco Grand Prix win last year marked a high point in his career. However, he admits that repeating such a feat this weekend may be challenging. "Last year's preparation was a bit more promising," he said. "Still, we aim for pole positions and wins, though Ferrari and Mercedes look strong—Mercedes, even more so. We must stay realistic yet hopeful."
McLaren's current car, the MCL40, brings its own challenges on the twisty streets of Monte Carlo. "It's hard to say if Monaco suits our car," Norris mused. "We performed well in Montreal recently, which has similar characteristics, so that's encouraging. But overall performance this year hasn't been as dominant."
He acknowledged that Ferrari's choice of high downforce comes with its own drawbacks, "Ferrari's not the fastest on the straights due to their high drag, but it gives them some advantage, especially here."
Norris is ready to continue his journey with McLaren, aiming to add more wins and titles to his name while appreciating the team's rich history. As McLaren celebrates its 1000th Grand Prix, Norris's record-breaking tenure will certainly be a highlight of the festivities.