Formula 1: 5 drivers set for a big 2020 season

SUZUKA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 10: Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing and Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Ferrari look on in the Drivers Press Conference during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on October 10, 2019 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /

4 of 5

SUZUKA, JAPAN – OCTOBER 13: Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren F1 Team MCL34 Renault (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) /

2. Lando Norris

The re-emergence of McLaren this season has been a feel-good storyline of the season and while it is clear that a much improved chassis has been central to their progress, the form of Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz Jr. has also played a large role.

As a rookie, Norris in particular has caught the eye, with some stellar qualifying performances. Bad luck has robbed him of some of his best results, but race pace is also an area he will know he needs to work on. However, at just 19 years of age, he has time on his side.

The form of teammate Sainz is the only thing that casts a slight shadow over Norris’s season. Through 17 races, Sainz has scored 76 points, more than double Norris’s total of 35.

However, Sainz is in his fifth season and has developed his race craft significantly since making his debut in 2015. In 17 races, Norris has outqualified his teammate nine times and is ranked seventh on the grid in terms of average qualifying position.

Going into next year, Norris will know he has to improve on his race craft, but he will also hope the car issues that cost him points in Canada, Belgium and Japan become less frequent. With McLaren investing in further improvement next season, he could find himself closer to the front than before. If so, he has the talent to take advantage of the opportunity.

Home/Formula One