Five worst moments of Lando Norris’ F1 career including Imola heartbreak and dramatic Spa crash

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Lando Norris has endured some unfortunate moments during his Formula 1 career, so F1 Oversteer has taken a look at some of his worst races, including heartbreak at Imola and a dramatic crash at Spa Francorchamps.

Norris started off his career in 2019 after a strong season in Formula 2, but struggled to achieve the same level of success in his early years of F1 with McLaren.

The 2021 season was a turning point when he finally achieved his first podium, with Norris going on to win his first race in 2024, before becoming world champion in 2025.

But those highs were not without their lows for Norris, and with that in mind, F1 Oversteer has taken a look at the five worst moments in Norris’ career.

5. Hungary 2021 – Lando Norris crashed into by Valtteri Bottas at start

Although this was not Norris’s fault, it was still a low moment for the Briton considering the conditions and how the race panned out for Esteban Ocon.

Starting the race from sixth on the grid, the McLaren driver got a good start and went ahead of Valtteri Bottas in the first few meters. But as they hit Turn 1, Bottas braked late and hit the back of Norris, sending the Briton into Max Verstappen.

Both cars were out on the spot, while Bottas continued his demolition by hitting Sergio Perez and wiping out a third car from the race. Carnage ensued alongside this as Lance Stroll also braked late and hit Charles Leclerc, while Daniel Ricciardo was spun out.

4. Las Vegas 2023 – Lando Norris crashes out in opening laps

One of Norris’s biggest crashes in his career happened at the first race in Las Vegas during the 2023 season.

Norris started from P16 on the grid, but within the first three laps, he lost control of their McLaren when going through the high-speed left-hander of Turn 11.

As the McLaren skated across the track following the initial impact with the barrier, Norris ground to a halt when his car hit the TecPro barriers in the run off. Norris was later taken to a nearby hospital for precautionary checks and was discharged on the same day.

3. Miami 2022 – Lando Norris crashes into Pierre Gasly and retires from the race

Norris might have a lot of luck in Miami, but that was not the case at the first race.

Starting from P8, the Briton worked his way through the field and was fighting for points with Pierre Gasly when the pair made contact exiting Turn 8.

The right rear tyre sheared off Norris’ McLaren and put him out on the spot, while Gasly got away without any significant damage on his car.

Norris would go on to win the race in 2024 and win again in the Sprint race in 2025.

2. Imola 2022 – Lando Norris crashes out of qualifying while fighting for pole

Qualifying at Imola was hit by rain in the closing stages, and Norris was on course for potentially starting from pole.

The Briton had made it through to Q3 and had just set the third quickest time in their McLaren, before skating off the track at Acque Minerali in the tricky conditions.

The crash would secure Norris’ third place on the grid, but he would ultimately miss out on pole to Verstappen. During the race, he converted his second-row start into a podium.

1. Spa 2021 – Lando Norris suffers dramatic crash in wet conditions

More heartbreak in a wet qualifying session for Norris, but this time it would be the biggest crash of the Briton’s career so far.

The weather at Spa was on typical form throughout the weekend, with heavy rain hitting the track and causing multiple red flags. Race Control attempted to get the session back underway, but because it’s such a long lap drivers take time before they end up starting their timed efforts.

When Norris started his lap, the track was already significantly wetter than on previous laps. Going through Eau Rouge, he lost control as he reached Radillon and slammed into the adjacent barriers, with his car being speared across the track.

Sebastian Vettel was first onto the scene, having been directly behind the McLaren, where he stopped to check if he was ok. Norris climbed out of his car without injury, while the race would see similar conditions and effectively end after two laps under Safety Car in grid order.