Lando Norris Reveals His All-Time Top Four F1 Drivers

In a new video from McLaren, 2025 Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris named the four drivers who inspired him most growing up, selecting a quartet of modern-era champions: fellow Brits Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, followed by Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso. Norris highlighted their influence on his career and praised their character as much as their driving talent.

Why it matters:

As a reigning champion, Norris's perspective on the drivers who shaped his journey offers a unique glimpse into the influences on the current generation of F1 stars. His choices, blending national pride with respect for iconic rivals, reflect the personal connections and admiration that exist beyond the on-track competition, humanizing the relationships within the paddock.

The details:

• Norris's list is deeply personal, rooted in the drivers he watched and supported during his childhood and early racing career.
• The British Inspirations: He first named Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, citing them as the drivers he supported as a kid. He noted both are "incredible drivers" and former McLaren colleagues, making them natural favorites.
• The Passionate Champion: For his third pick, Norris chose Sebastian Vettel, whom he admired for his passionate driving style and distinctive helmet designs during his dominant Red Bull championship years.
• The Experienced Rival: His fourth choice was Fernando Alonso, whom Norris experienced firsthand during his own early years at McLaren. He praised Alonso as a "good personality" and a "lovely person," emphasizing the blend of character and skill.

What's next:

Norris's list provides a snapshot of the drivers who defined the sport for a champion who grew up in the 2000s and 2010s. While his own legacy is now being written, his public acknowledgment of these icons serves as a bridge between F1 eras for fans and underscores the sport's continuous thread of inspiration from one champion to the next.