Young Drivers Still a 'Risk' for F1 Teams: Norris

Lando Norris highlights the risks teams face with young drivers despite their talent, emphasizing the challenges of sustaining long-term performance in F1.

Despite the fact that a quarter of the grid will have been refreshed in less than a year with a wave of young drivers joining in 2024 and 2025, Lando Norris believes teams still take a risk when hiring young drivers. The McLaren F1 driver acknowledges the performances of Liam Lawson, Oscar Piastri, and Franco Colapinto but explains that true proof comes over a longer term.

“It’s always a risk, for sure,” Norris stated. “I think what we’re seeing are very talented drivers making their mark. I feel older when I say this, but Liam, Oscar, Franco—you’re going to see a lot of drivers coming in, doing a good job, being fast, and qualifying well.”

“I think that’s what’s most natural for drivers. But I think Formula 1 isn’t just about one weekend, two weekends, or three weekends.”

“It’s about 24 races, an entire season, and the development of the car over multiple seasons. And I think you’ll see, as I believe, that there are many drivers who can come in and drive a Formula 1 car quickly. And I think that’s the easiest part.”

According to the Briton, who does not underestimate the adaptation required for these young drivers, the hardest part in Formula 1 is sustaining success over the long term: “The toughest part is the longer stretch of it all.”

“It’s about the 24 races, not crashing the car every weekend, avoiding silly mistakes, helping your team, being a team leader—not just focusing on this season, but looking ahead to next year and knowing when to make sacrifices for future seasons.”

“There are so many aspects that make a driver more complete than someone who can simply come in and perform for a weekend. So, there are those two sides to it, but I’m always impressed. And I think it’s always remarkable to see how quickly young drivers can be brought in today.”