Lando Norris backs millionaire F1 driver after latter's major step down in his career

McLaren driver Lando Norris backed his former teammate Carlos Sainz to make a comeback to a top team in the coming years following his move to Williams F1. The Spaniard was released by Ferrari at the end of the 2024 season to make way for Lewis Hamilton alongside Charles Leclerc.

The 30-year-old was a free agent for most of the 2024 season in his bid to attract big teams but was ignored in favor of young talents like Kimi Antonelli and Liam Lawson. He eventually chose the Williams F1 team as his next destination alongside Alex Albon on a multi-year deal.

Lando Norris, who made his debut in 2019 with the Woking-based outfit alongside Carlos Sainz, spoke to F1.com about the latter's abilities behind the wheel and expressed his confidence in him to make his way back to the top of the grid

“Carlos is someone I know well and I've started racing in Formula 1 with Carlos. You always knew he was going to be there and he was always going to put up a good fight," Norris said. "He'll be back. Williams have been improving a lot. They've not had someone with a lot of genuine experience from a top team. Carlos will for sure add to that and propel the team forwards even more.”

Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris were teammates for two seasons in 2019 and 2020 before the former moved to Ferrari in 2021 to replace Sebastian Vettel.

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Lando Norris gives his take on Carlos Sainz's move to Williams F1

McLaren driver Lando Norris said that Carlos Sainz could take Williams back to the top of the sport given that 2026 will bring in the new engine regulations and anything could happen.

Speaking to the aforementioned source, the British driver believed that his Spanish counterpart deserved to fight for "world championships", saying:

“2026 is a year where anything can happen. Williams can be at the top all of a sudden. So, we'll wait and see. But it's a shame because I think he [Sainz] has proven himself enough in Formula 1 that he deserves a good seat."

"He deserves to fight for championships and wins, and those types of things, and it's a shame when that opportunity is lost. But it's not because he's not got talent or he's not got the ability, right? It's because it's the biggest name in Formula 1 who wants his seat [at Ferrari]," Norris added.

Carlos Sainz finished the 2024 season in P5 in the driver's championship just two points behind Oscar Piastri, while Lando Norris, who initially looked like he could push Max Verstappen close in the title battle throughout the season, finished in P2.