Lando Norris is aware of higher than most that F1 generally is a savage sport, however the McLaren ace was not anticipating to be struck within the face by his former team-mate
F1 will be the most harmful sport on the planet, however one in every of Lando Norris’ largest hits to the pinnacle was in a special race. The Bristolian is one in every of the favourites to emerge from Silverstone victorious at the British Grand Prix this weekend.
He has come near victory on two events, ending second in 2023 and third in 2024. Final yr’s GP proved to be a tough weekend for Norris, as his resolution making concerning what tires to make use of noticed him lose tempo with Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
Nonetheless, the 2022 GP was additionally memorable as his head was almost separated from his shoulders by former driving accomplice Daniel Ricciardo launching an area hopper at his face. The Australian’s goal couldn’t have been higher, as he caught the Brit proper on the nostril.
Ricciardo and Norris had been having fun with an entertaining house hopper race in opposition to one another on the dwelling straight of Silverstone, as followers watched on eagerly. The bouncy GP didn’t begin effectively for the Brit, as he rapidly slipped off and fell backwards.
He had loads of floor to make up on his Australian rival, who appeared destined to bounce over the end line. Norris engaged in a little bit of gamesmanship by selecting up the house hopper and operating previous the Honey Badger.
As Norris was about to go Ricciardo, the Aussie picked up his personal house hopper and launched it proper into his face from point-blank vary. Maybe realising issues might have been taken a bit too far, Ricciardo immediately checked up on his team-mate, whose eyes might have been watering on the time.
Whereas Norris might be heard shouting, “I can not see” Ricciardo, who was making an attempt to carry again his laughter, might be heard saying: “You already know if you do one thing and also you realise you in all probability should not have accomplished it? It was too late.”
Norris was in a position to see the humorous aspect. On the time, Ricciardo was McLaren’s most important man, whereas Norris was the youthful prodigy who was anticipated to push him.
Nonetheless, Norris comfortably outperformed his extra skilled team-mate significantly, ending seventh and amassing 122 factors, in comparison with Ricciardo’s disappointing eleventh positioned end with simply 37 factors. In August 2022, Ricciardo was brutally sacked by McLaren, who determined to terminate his contract a yr later.
They might go on to interchange the Australian with Oscar Piastri, who was a reserve at Alpine on the time. Issues have modified remarkably for each Norris and Piastri this yr.
The pair are neck and neck on the prime of the F1 standings, with Piastri commanding a slim 15-point lead over his McLaren team-mate. All eyes will likely be on the McLaren duo at Silverstone this weekend.
After his departure, Ricciardo was re-signed by Crimson Bull as a 3rd driver in November 2022. He would go on to be promoted to a race seat of their second staff as a alternative for Nick de Vries in July 2023.
Nonetheless, after being unable to outperform Yuki Tsunoda, Ricciardo was changed by Liam Lawson in September 2024. Whereas he has not introduced his retirement, Ricciardo is at present away from F1, having not been signed by anyone for the 2025 marketing campaign.
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