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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NOVEMBER 22: The Drivers Press Conference with ART Grand Prix Formula 2 driver George Russell of Great Britain and Williams, Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP, Fernando Alonso of Spain and McLaren F1, and Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren F1 during previews ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 22, 2018 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NOVEMBER 22: The Drivers Press Conference with ART Grand Prix Formula 2 driver George Russell of Great Britain and Williams, Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP, Fernando Alonso of Spain and McLaren F1, and Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren F1 during previews ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 22, 2018 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Lando Norris is one of the most talented F1 drivers on the grid currently. The McLaren driver has impressed everyone with his pace and skills behind the wheel of an F1 car. He’s touted as a future world champion in the F1 paddock.
But in an interesting tidbit, the young British driver mentioned he won his karting championship driving for Fernando Alonso karts. Norris had a very successful junior career, which included many championships such as karting and single-seaters.
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READ MORE: Why Lando Norris is so popular?
Recently, for a segment for Sky Sports, Lando was revisiting his Instagram and saw his karting world championship post. In his own way, he thanked Fernando Alonso for helping him in his junior career.
Lando Norris reveals how Fernando Alonso helped him win the karting title
The McLaren driver revealed he became a karting world championship racer for Fernando Alonso-owned karting team. Although he simultaneously poked fun at the quality of the karts and stated that his karts are much better.
” The go-kart I was using at this time was Fernando Alonso kart. So Fernando helped me a little bit to achieve this. Now I have grown up and gotten Formula One; it is my opportunity to give something back, and that was to create my own go-kart.”
“It is miles better than the Fernando Alonso go-kart, so that’s why this team now runs my one. We have already won a couple of races,” said Norris.
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 12: Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren F1 walks in the Paddock before the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2021, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Both Norris and Alonso have a lot of respect for each other and have even swapped helmets last season. The 2-time world champion called Lando a Rockstar while presenting him with his helmet.
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“You are a star, a rock star!! Best of luck for the future Lando!” said Alonso.
WATCH THIS STORY: Shortest F1 Drivers Ever Featuring Yuki Tsunoda & Lando Norris
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The British driver replaced the 2-time world champion at McLaren in 2019. But unfortunately, we have not seen any memorable racing action between them on the track till now.
Hopefully, we’ll see them race against each other more often this season as have similarly competitive cars. It would be interesting to see who comes out on top, the young gun or the old hand.
