Lando Norris became Britain’s latest Formula 1 world champion back in December when he won a three-way battle with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Norris is the 11th different Briton to win the title and the third this century.
Lando Norris became Britain’s latest Formula 1 world champion back in December when he won a three-way battle with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Norris is the 11th different Briton to win the title and the third this century. He put the country back on F1’s throne four years after Max Verstappen unseated Lewis Hamilton.
In recognition of his achievement, he was nominated for the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year Award. Norris ultimately finished third behind golfer Rory McIlroy and rugby player Ellie Kildunne.
David Beckham won that award in 2001 and remains one of the most successful British athletes in history, both on and off the football field.
‘He’s a cool guy’ – Lando Norris on David Beckham message
Speaking on the Fast and the Curious podcast, Norris revealed that Beckham had sent him a congratulatory message after he sealed the title.
It was a nervy finish for Norris, who came home third at the finale in Abu Dhabi to see off Verstappen by just two points.
As Norris pointed out, Beckham is a keen fan of Formula 1 and has attended several races. He has previously celebrated Hamilton’s success, and now the sport has a new British superstar.
“We speak every now and then about different things,” Norris said. “He did send me a message. David’s always great.
“He’s in the garage every now and then in Bahrain, Qatar, a few different places. He’s a cool guy. It’s always nice when he pops up.”
Why Lando Norris is no longer a Manchester United fan
Beckham is a Manchester United legend, having made nearly 400 appearances for the club between 1992 and 2002 after graduating from their academy.
In that period, he won six Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League.
Born in November 1999, Norris is too young to remember Beckham’s latter days at Old Trafford, but he did start following Manchester United in the noughties due to his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I have two [football teams],” Norris said in 2021. “My favourite team growing up was Bristol City because it’s where I grew up, a little bit, and my dad was very good friends with the guy who owned Bristol City.
“I feel like people are going to slate me for it, but then it was Man U, but only when Ronaldo was there. That was the team I supported when Ronaldo was there.”
While Norris was pictured wearing a United shirt last year, he can no longer be considered a fan.
“I don’t watch football anymore, I’m not a football fan, so [I support] no-one,” he says.
Category: General Sports
