23-year-old F1 driver could be this generation’s Nick Heidfeld if he’s not careful

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McLaren star Lando Norris put in another phenomenal performance in Sao Paulo, but there’s a worry he could become the next Nick Heidfeld.

On the Chequered Flag Podcast, commentator Harry Benjamin, journalist Jennie Gow and driver Alice Powell were discussing an eventful race at Interlagos.

There was plenty of excitement up and down the grid with Fernando Alonso returning to the podium after two standing starts following a big crash going into turn one.

The most predictable result was Max Verstappen winning his 17^th race of the season as he continues to break records and dominate Formula 1.

He was under a little bit of pressure at the start of the race from Lando Norris who was extracting as much pace as possible out of his McLaren.

The 23-year-old ended up finishing comfortably in second place, recording his seventh podium of the year.

It was also Norris’s 13^th Formula 1 podium for McLaren, matching a record set by Nick Heidfeld.

The German driver raced nearly 200 times in F1 and scored more than 250 points when reaching that number was much more difficult.

However, he never got to stand on the top step of the podium despite driving for some of the best teams in the sport at the time.

McLaren star Norris matches Heidfeld record

Speaking about the young Brit, Harry Benjamin said: “Do you think it is going to happen for Lando Norris at some stage?

“Because unfortunately for him he’s now in an era where Max Verstappen and Red Bull are superior and the reliability isn’t even an issue either for Verstappen.

“Could Lando Norris become this generation’s Nick Heidfeld and constantly get podiums without a win?”

Heidfeld and Norris’s careers in Formula 1 haven’t really mirrored one another, with Norris benefitting from starting his time in the sport with a top team like McLaren.

The German started his career in 2000 with a struggling Prost team and after 17 races he managed to reach the chequered flag just six times due to huge reliability issues.

He spent the majority of his time in F1 with Sauber, who were partnered with BMW when they were competing at the front of the grid.

Norris has now matched Heidfeld’s 13 podiums, although the German had to watch teammate Robert Kubica win in Canada.

The young Brit will hope he has better luck during his career and has a long time to make sure he stands on the top step of the podium.

However, he’s got a very good chance of breaking Heidfeld’s record before the end of the season.