Lando Norris has praised tribute to his McLaren team and returning race engineer Will Joseph after finishing second in Sunday’s 2023 Singapore Grand Prix.
Singapore saw the return of Norris’ regular race engineer, Joseph, who had been missing from some European races after going on maternity leave.
Norris has worked with Joseph since his promotion to a full-time racing driver with McLaren in 2019, enjoying an amicable relationship which included several humorous conversations on team radio.
“He’s always been very helpful,” said Norris. “I’ve been with Will since 2017-18 he was the guy that I was introduced to [at McLaren] and then worked with, so [I have] a good relationship with Will.
“The whole team have been working extremely hard, and of course, we’ve had the upgrades this weekend. I do have to say a big thanks to the whole team.
“The progress we made from where we were at the beginning of the year to now is quite exceptional. To be on par with Ferrari and Mercedes and beating Red Bull on a weekend like this.
“We know we have a lot more work to do, but it’s paying off.”
Happy to share podium with friend Sainz
Norris was joined on the podium by friend and former McLaren teammate Carlos Sainz, who dominated proceedings to win his second race for Ferrari.
Sainz and Norris had shared the podium only once before today’s race when the pair finished second and third at the 2021 Monaco GP behind runaway winner Max Verstappen.
“It’s always nice to be on the podium with whoever you respect and get along [with],” said Norris. “So the first time we’ve been able to be a P1 and P2, it’s in the wrong order, but it’s alright for now.Â
“We have our first podium in Monaco where [we were] both there. For Carlos to be on the top step is great, and he deserves it.
“He’s done a very good job the last few weekends. So yeah, it’s always a pleasure. I hope there’ll be more moments like it.”
