Fernando Alonso spotted Lando Norris’ true potential during one ‘very impressive’ race before his Formula 1 debut

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Lando Norris’ Formula 1 talents have blossomed into what many thought they could become ahead of his first real championship fight in 2025.

After years of remaining patient with McLaren, their hard work has paid off and they now have what is regarded as the fastest car in the sport.

Norris has managed multiple victories and helped his team to end a 16-year title drought by winning the constructors’ championship last season.

With the 2026 F1 regulations around the corner, and major changes just one year away, the upcoming 24-race campaign could be their best ever chance to claim a championship double.

Toto Wolff expects Norris to be better in 2025 after facing a lot of tough lessons against reigning champion Max Verstappen.

Ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, pre-season testing suggests McLaren have made a ‘big step’ with their car.

READ MORE: McLaren have made ‘aggressive’ change to ‘exploit’ Lando Norris’ new 2025 F1 car

Fernando Alonso noticed Lando Norris’ ‘very impressive’ talents at the 2018 24 Hours of Daytona

Just two years ago, McLaren were at the back of the grid and Aston Martin were the surprise of the Formula 1 grid, competing for victories against Red Bull.

It would have been easy for Norris to seek a move to the front-running team with a bit of a ‘win-now’ mindset. His Austrian rivals didn’t hide their interest in him.

Now the Brit is entering his seventh season with the Woking-based outfit, marking a long and mainly successful partnership so far.

Back in 2018, while racing in Formula 2 and learning from Fernando Alonso at the team, the two-time champion realised Norris’ talents while competing together at the 24 Hours of Daytona.

“The stints he did were very impressive – the teamwork, the preparation, the focus,” Alonso told Autosport.

READ MORE: Lando Norris fired back at Juan Pablo Montoya with ‘don’t care’ statement about Max Verstappen

How close will Red Bull be to McLaren and Lando Norris in 2025 after F1 testing?

After the conclusion of pre-season testing in Bahrain, the pecking order doesn’t appear to be too different from that of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Red Bull are ‘internally’ saying McLaren are quicker than their three close rivals currently, with Mercedes and Ferrari not far behind them either.

The winter has given the teams one final chance to go ‘all-in’ on these regulations, almost risk-free before 2026.

Gary Anderson is ‘not a fan’ of Red Bull’s new front wing and doesn’t believe it will bring them any gains in a competitive setting.

They’re going to need every tenth they can get, if McLaren are as far ahead as everyone seems to agree early in the season. It looks like they will start the campaign behind them.