FUCK LANDO CRASHED I'M GONNA CRY😭

So for those of you who don’t know this story, here goes. Apologies to those who know it.

Back in 2019 when Lando first came into F1 it was easier to find articles about him as a kid. This seems to been lost to the ether now and I have zero memory where I read it.

Back in the mid 2010s Niki Lauda invited Jackie Stewart for dinner. He needed his opinion. Mercedes has identified George Russell as a huge up coming talent and they wanted to sign him as a junior, but Niki wanted to know what Jackie knew about him.

Sir Jackie was very complimentary about George but suggested to Lauda that there was another upcoming Brit he felt was more exciting and worth a look, Lando Norris.

Over the course of the meal (which with Niki was notoriously quick) they weighed up the pros and cons on both drivers, discussed their potential and agreed by the end of the meal it was in Mercedes best interest to approach BOTH drivers and offer them places. At this point it could be either/or and you didn’t want to pick the wrong one.

However by the time Mercedes approached Lando’s team, McLaren had beaten them to the punch. We will never know if Jackie had already given the Lando sales pitch to Ron Dennis as well by this point. (Yes it was Ron not Zak that brought Lando to McLaren).

The take from this is Sir Jackie Stewart has been team Lando for at least a decade. So when we talk about the weight of expectations Lando carries, it feels he literally wants to get this Driver’s Championship done in Jackie’s lifetime so his belief is justified. The fact Jackie clearly adores him is just a bonus. (I think Kimi might be next on the Sir Jackie project board by the looks of it😂).

(Side note - if you don’t already @norris.content on Instagram is well worth a follow. She is responsible for the video and picture).

“my mum always says she is on my shoulder while i am driving. she is always in the car with me.”

Thoughts on aus quali 25'

- Kimi & Ollie...I don't even need to say anything, I'm just sad for them. I swear someone had cursed Ollie or something cause nothing has been going his way for even a little this week

- Aston is cooked

- what happened to Ferrari??? If it wasn't for Charles & Lewis I doubt it would've gotten to where it is now

- Lando on pole <3333

- McLaren 1-2, just beaming with happiness rn

- Yuki, Carlos & Alex in top 10 is just *chef's kiss* it's beautiful.

In conclusion, this is a day of depression and happiness. One side of me is happy the other is depressed.

Kimi just mauled that youngest pole sitter record.

21 years 72 days was Sebs record.

It is now 18 years 8 months 8 days.

I'm going through it rn.. ollie doesn't have the best luck this week 😭

that's my princess

also for everyone wondering, he's in brisighella, italy today receiving the 2025 lorenzo bandini trophy! “the trophy is awarded to those who have shown a 'commendable performance during the season.' the prize is not awarded based solely on sporting results but on how those results are achieved, taking into account elements such as the approach to races.”

lando received the trophy in 2023!

let’s hope ferrari doesn’t wipe their smiles away after the race...

lmaaaoo he said and what about it 🙂‍↕️

kid: "i like lando because he is kind and respectful for other people. your so kindness"

oscar: "i like your so kindness too"

lando: "oh yeah? well thank you oscar!"

I think we should all keep in mind that these rookies are basically kids and not judge them too much. Unfortunately this will be a make or break season for them and it's too much pressure already, better not to burden them with ruthless judgements and just enjoy the race and pray for safe races