How Did Lando Norris Perform At COTA In 2023?

Lando Norris’s rise in Formula 1 has been nothing shy of exhilarating and entertaining. In 2023, he is on his way to a world title that could well fall into his lap the way he is performing. He deserves to be a world champion. Of that there is little doubt.

But it is also important to remember that not too long ago, he had a dagger through his heart when despite coming so close at winning the 2021 Russian Grand Prix, the young Briton missed out. It was his maiden pole position in the sport he loved, one that came at Sochi. And what a victory might that have been?

However, instead of succumbing to despair, the young man fought on and gave us fine moments such as the legend of “Last Lap Lando”, when at Austria a few years ago with COVID pandemic still very much troubling the planet, the youngster made a brilliant last lap overtake at the Styrian Alps to earn a maiden career podium.

Having said that, one of the tracks that Lando Norris seems to have enjoyed in the recent past, is the Circuit Of The Americas. The venue in lighter vein could be described as Owen Wilson-territory, in that Norris’s impressive speed has earned him a “wow” from fans, much like how Owen says the famous one-liner. That’s especially when you see the Bristol-born’s effort here as seen during the last year.

But before we delve into greater details as to how might be that case, it is important to understand how the English driver has performed in the land of the Americans.

Firstly, however, let us note a valuable point that as on date, Lando Norris has raced at the famous Texan destination for not more than four previous occasions.

Interestingly, upon his maiden or first visit to the racing venue, which came about in 2019, a very young Lando Norris, then with that child-like face of his, manage to race the wheels off his McLaren. In claiming a fighting and also respected seventy, the young Briton outsmarted none other than Carlos Sainz Jr.

In scoring a fighting seventh, he outperformed a more experienced driver, his then teammate at McLaren. What’s also worth noting about Lando Norris is that, he remains, to this day, a great friend of the Spanish racing talent, someone who extended the buddy treatment to the McLaren man last year at Singapore in 2023.

How did Lando Norris perform at COTA in 2023

Having said that, in 2023, the last that Formula 1 raced at Texas, the very place where Logan Sargeant scored points for the first time ever in front of home fans, Lando Norris looked set for a win.

However, once again, it wasn’t to be given Max Verstappen’s brilliant and solid victory for Red Bull. Even then, Norris’s fighting second held its ground. In what was actually his 100th Formula 1 Grand Prix, Lando Norris took his McLaren to a strong finish. It was a fine effort in that he battled pressure from that familiar sight again: good friend Carlos Sainz in a Ferrari.

In a sense, the P2 was a sign of valiance and yet, showed once again, that Ferrari still had their work cut out where it came to contesting the papaya-liveried McLaren of Norris.

Fast, not furious, quick, and aggressive, Lando Norris could well win the forthcoming USA Grand Prix at COTA. That he’s never won here previously would motivate him, should motivate him. However, he’d also remember that a certain Oscar Piastri won’t make it that easy.