Carlos Sainz has suggested his relationship with Lando Norris has improved since he left McLaren as he admitted the pressure has been lifted from their time as team-mates. Sainz and Norris formed one of the most promising driver lineups on the grid with McLaren for three seasons before the Spaniard opted to leave for Ferrari. Many thought it would signal the end of his close relationship with Norris, but the opposite has proved to true.
Sainz was already contracted to McLaren in 2019 when Norris replaced Stoffel Vandoorne after impressing at Formula 2 level. And from there the pair became close friends, with F1 fans dubbing the young drivers ‘Carlando’ due to their hilarious antics.
On the track, the story was entirely different as tension grew between the pair. They came to blows on several occasions as the team began to prioritise Norris’ development, which put some strain on their friendship as they duelled in the midfield.
In 2021, Sainz decided to leave the Woking-based team for Ferrari when it emerged Sebastian Vettel would be leaving for Aston Martin and he was subsequently replaced by Daniel Ricciardo, with Norris aiming a jibe at Sainz for leaving for their rivals at the time.
They seem to have cleared the air since, though. When asked if his bond with Norris remains rock solid, Sainz told Express Sport: “It is, and I would say it is even as strong as ever.
“I think the fact we’re not team-mates anymore relieves the pressure that you have with your team-mate, the rivalry. When you share the same car, the same team, you know he’s the only other guy who drives the same car as you and so you try to beat him more than anyone else.”
Norris and Sainz have been spotted on the golf course together before and often post images on their social media accounts showing them hanging out away from the track.
The 28-year-old, now into his ninth season in F1 after being supported by Estrella Galicia since 2015, says the mood has changed for the better since they went their separate ways and can now relax when they meet up.
“Now we’re not team-mates, we still see each other just as much but even more relaxed,” he added.
“We know we don’t share that rivalry anymore. We still play golf, go for dinner now and then, and enjoy our time together.”
Their playful banter came to the fore at the Spanish Grand Prix in June when Sainz pipped Norris to second on the grid in Barcelona.
In the post-qualifying interview, Norris poked fun at his close pal by suggesting he had allowed him to secure a front-row spot because it was his home race.
Asked about McLaren’s pace, Norris said: “Oh, I have no idea. Yeah, I’m surprised to be here, but amazing job P3, almost P2. But it’s a home race for Carlos so I thought I’d give him a couple of tenths, you know.”
But with Sainz nearly doubling Norris’ points tally already after 10 races with 83 points to his haul of 42, the McLaren star might not be laughing too much when he sees the Drivers’ Championship standings.
Estrella Galicia have supported Carlos Sainz since his debut in 2015 and now with Ferrari.
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