Lando Norris slams Carlos Sainz ‘underrated’ claims after Australian GP heroics

Carlos Sainz put in a stellar outing at the 2024 Australian Grand Prix.

Lando Norris slams Carlos Sainz ‘underrated’ claims after Australian GP heroics

Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz (Via: Imago)

Carlos Sainz since returning to the F1 grid, has become the driver that everyone is talking about. He produced a sensational driver around the Albert Park F1 circuit and seeing his exploits, former teammate, Lando Norris, has come forward and blatantly bashed the Sainz ‘underrated’ claims.

Carlos Sainz made his racing return at the Australian GP after sitting out the Jeddah event because of his appendicitis surgery. Not many were expecting him to put in a strong showing, but to his doubter’s surprise, he was able to pull off a sensational victory in the 58-lap event!

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Since his heroics, the F1 paddock has been filled with gossip of Sainz being underrated in the sport. While a lot has been said about this, Lando Norris does not agree with this line of thinking.

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There’s no reason anyone should think he’s underrated. I think the people who know him know what he’s capable of doing, know his effort level, his approach, and dedication to wanting to be one of the best, exactly like he’s proved today and over the last couple of weeks. For the people who know what he’s capable of doing, you would never ever say he’s underrated.
Lando Norris said in an interview with RaceFans

Sainz, after his Albert Park heroics, has become a three-time race winner in the sport. His career is on an upward trajectory despite losing his Ferrari seat, he has very quickly become one of the hottest drivers in the driver market ahead of 2025.

Lando Norris feels Carlos Sainz has made a ‘step up’ in comparison to 2022

While Lando Norris has left no stone unturned in indicating that Carlos Sainz is not underrated in the paddock by the people who know him, he has also made it known that the latter has stepped up his In 2022, Sainz was the only non-Red Bull driver to secure a Grand Prix win.

Carlos Sainz on the Australian GP podium
Carlos Sainz on the Australian GP podium (Via IMAGO)

Norris ardently feels the current version of Sainz is the best one yet in his career so far.

But when you’ve worked with him, when you know what he’s capable of doing, and when things click, they click very well and he has performances like he does this weekend. And I would say all year, he’s proved to be a step up from maybe what he has been last year. You’re silly if you underrate him.
Lando Norris further added in the same interview

Max Verstappen’s DNF in Australia has allowed the lights of Sainz and Charles Leclerc to close the gap to him. Moreover, keeping in view the ever-improving performance output of the SF-24, the Japanese GP could also prove a bit problematic for the mighty Bulls.

Who knows, if the Ferrari challenger performs well around the free-flowing Suzuka F1 circuit, Carlos Sainz could once again be seen dominating the three-day event. Several eyes will be on Sainz during next month’s Japanese GP.

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