McLaren’s Lando Norris matched an unwanted F1 podium record at the Brazilian GP 

Lando Norris's second place in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix meant he equalled Nick Heidfeld's record of most podium finishes without a race win.

McLaren’s Lando Norris matched an unwanted F1 podium record at the Brazilian GP 

Lando Norris on the podium at Silverstone (via IMAGO)

Two records were matched in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Sunday. One was Max Verstappen equalling Michael Schumacher’s record of most consecutive races in the lead of the championship, at 37. The other one was the unfortunate record of most podium finishes by a driver without a race win, matched by Lando Norris.

Nick Heidfeld holds the record along with Norris, as Heidfeld managed 13 podiums in his 12-year career without winning a single race. Norris also has 13 podiums, but in a significantly shorter period, as he only joined the pinnacle of motorsport in 2019. The Briton earned seven of his 13 podiums in just the 2023 season after a stellar second half.

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Lando Norris holds second place in 2023, even ahead of Sergio Perez in that statistic, with five finishes right behind the race win. Norris missed his best chance for a win in Sochi 2021 when he aquaplaned off the track with just two laps remaining. The McLaren driver has two opportunities to finally beat Max Verstappen to a race victory in Las Vegas and the final round at Abu Dhabi.

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Lando Norris said that he could not keep his pace up with Max Verstappen

Lando Norris missed out on a race win in Sao Paulo, falling just short of 1st place yet again. Norris has finished second six times in just this season, every time with Max Verstappen ahead of him. The Briton started 7th on the grid but managed to fight up to second, and tried his level best to catch up to the World Champion.

Lando Norris
Lando Norris

Norris gained a lot of time on Verstappen and attempted a brave move around turn 4, but Verstappen defended well and eventually pulled ahead. Norris explained that he could not catch up enough to the Dutchman, especially at the end of the stints.

 I don’t know if that’s because we’re a bit slower and I’m pushing harder to keep up, or if we’re just a bit weaker in terms of tire management.

The MCL35 has not won a Grand Prix in 2023, but it has still had the best progress on the grid. From being unable to qualify for Q2 in the early part of the season, it has gone on to achieve nine podiums and a sprint race win with Oscar Piastri, and Red Bull has identified Mclaren as the strongest team other than themselves.

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