Lando Norris and George Russell are close friends away from the race track, competing in multiple racing categories together before both entering Formula 1 in 2019, with McLaren and Williams respectively.
Norris was signed by McLaren as a young driver to build the team around, while Russell was signed by Williams with the aim of gaining experience before making an inevitable step up to partner Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.
Russell is now beginning to thrive at Mercedes, winning his first Grand Prix in Brazil this season, while Norris still remains winless with McLaren as the team struggled to adapt to the new regulations that came with the start of the 2022 season.
The Mercedes driver has now suggested that his years fighting at the back of the grid with Williams have given him an advantage over his friend, who has had a limited range of experience in Formula 1.
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“I think that every opportunity, every year, whether it’s a good year or a bad year, adds to you development and it made me who I am,” argued Russell.
“Those experiences, if I was in a Mercedes and fighting for victories, I wouldn’t have had those experiences. In that regard, I probably have been through more than what Alex [Albon] or Lando has.
“Lando’s been at McLaren now for five years. He’s been fighting for the odd podium or pole position for five years, whereas I’ve been on every end of the spectrum.
“You’ve got to see that as an advantage.”
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Norris had a golden opportunity to pick up his first win in F1 before Russell, however a mix-up in communication over weather conditions at the 2021 Russian Grand Prix saw the McLaren driver throw away the chance of his maiden F1 win.
The Brit recently signed a multi-year contract extension with McLaren that will keep him with the team for the foreseeable future, however it remains to be seen how patient Norris will be with the team as he sets his sights on becoming a Formula 1 world champion.
Red Bull had previously held talks with the driver, before Norris decided to renew his McLaren contract, and with Sergio Perez approaching the latter end of his career, Norris might be hoping that a vacancy opens up for him to partner Max Verstappen should McLaren still be uncompetitive.