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Bahrain overtake of Fernando Alonso on Lewis Hamilton has been replayed innumerable times. A flash of the most iconic rivalry of our times made many onlookers get up from their seats to witness what they never thought could happen. However, back in 2007, when the rookie Hamilton lined up alongside the reigning double-world champion Fernando, such tussles on track and sometimes off it was a common occurrence. A man from the younger generation of drivers attributes this equation of ex-McLaren drivers to his interest in F1.
Who is the man in question? It is McLaren’s golden boy, Lando Norris. Ever since he joined the Woking-based outfit, he has maintained that he joined the team that made him fall in love with the sport. And while the recent occurrences may have been testing his love, the pedigree of the team and the “cool” battles of Nando and Lewis drew his attention from the team and the sport. In Made with Love Podcast hosted by Olympic Gold medalist, Tom Daley, Lando revealed the special feeling of racing against the men who inspired him to join the racing world.
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via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – November 20, 2022 McLaren’s Lando Norris ahead of the race REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger
Lando said, “What’s weird for me is that I am racing against these guys. Seb’s retired, but last two years three years four years I was racing against him. I am racing against people, when I first ever watched Formula 1, it was when Fernando and Lewis were here in McLaren.”
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He further added, “They were the biggest riv.., uh teammates. They were biggest rivals of each other. That is what got me into it. And I actually started supporting McLaren, mainly because they looked cool, it is not because of anything else. And I got into it. And now I am here, racing against Lewis, racing against Fernando and Seb. So for me its pretty weird to think of it like that but its pretty special.”
And while the 2007 antics of the Spaniard inspired Noris, the former is resurrected and has geared up again to inspire another generation.
Lawrence Stroll-owned outfit Aston Martin is a great fit for Fernando Alonso
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Aston Martin and Fernando Alonso seem to fit like a glove. A subpar team from last year has shocked everyone to establish itself as the second-fastest team. Another shocker in the past was the Matador signing for the team. His manager Flavio Briatore reveals why the decision was reached upon.
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via Imago
ALONSO Fernando spa, Aston Martin F1 Team AMR23, portrait during the Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023, 2nd round of the 2023 Formula One World Championship, WM, Weltmeisterschaft from March 17 to 19, 2023 on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – F1 – SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2023 – RACE DPPI/Panoramic PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRAxITAxBEL 20230319_IMGL1182.JPG
Briatore said, “Aston Martin offered us a two-year contract, while others offered a one-year contract, citing Fernando’s age. We also knew that Lawrence Stroll was making a great team. We saw a desire to improve that, for example, did not exist in Alpine.”
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Watch This Story: F1 Stars Max Verstappen & Lando Norris Go Wild With Their Girlfriends in Monaco
What are your predictions for Aston Martin? Do you think they can dethrone Red Bull in the coming days?