Sky F1 pundits clash over claim Lewis Hamilton ‘passed baton’ to Lando Norris
Nico Rosberg and Martin Brundle disagreed as to whether Lando Norris’ recent performances show he has picked up the baton from Lewis Hamilton.
Pretty much since his 2007 entry, Hamilton has had the title of the best performing Brit on the F1 grid locked down.
While plenty have been described as the ‘next Hamilton’ it seems there is now finally a crop of young drivers waiting to take the crown.
George Russell looked the most likely candidate to do that but another name has emerged in recent weeks with Norris going from potential to performance with podiums in both Silverstone and Hungary.
Speaking shortly before Norris’ Hungary podium, Sky Sports F1 pundit Brundle pondered whether the Silverstone outing was a “handing over of the baton” between the British drivers.
“Lando placed his car really cleverly because he was vulnerable for a few corners, probably even a lap or two,” Brundle said of Hamilton and Norris’ battle.
“And in a way you wonder if that’s the handing over of the baton with the British drivers in Formula 1 because Lando had that one covered.”
But one man who disagreed with this suggestion was Rosberg who said “Lewis is not done yet.”
“Martin, please slow down. Lewis is not done yet. He was just first in FP3!” Rosberg argued.
”我说交出接力棒时,它会发生some point,” was Brundle’s reply.
The question of Norris’ or Russell’s succession was put to Brundle by PlanetF1.com recently and at that time, the former Tyrell driver’s thoughts were more in line with Rosberg’s.
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“We’ve got a lot of good circuits in the UK,” the Sky pundit told PlanetF1.com. “A lot of racing and we’ve really got some good kids with Lando and George but Lewis is still right there with them.”
Norris still has some way to go to eclipse the achievements of Hamilton and for a start, he needs to register his first win in the sport.
After 93 races, Norris is currently 23rd on the list of drivers with the most grands prix without a win. Norris is however just two podiums away from matching Russell’s current tally.
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