Carlando – The best F1 "bromance"

Carlando duo at Singapore
Dynamic drivers
2019 McLaren
Different styles
Speed demon
Intense but respectful
Constructors Championship
A F1
Sainz to Ferrari
Still there!
A helping hand
Good vibes
Returning the favour
DRS boost
The gap
A tarmac Coliseum
Sportmanship
Carlando duo at Singapore

After a thrilling action-packed race, Carlos Sainz claimed his 2-ever victory at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Lando Norris finished P2 with his McLaren after the Carlando duo outperformed both Mercedes drivers! Brilliant race management that benefited both Sainz and Lando.

Dynamic drivers

The Carlando friendship dates back to 2019 when both drivers joined McLaren. Fresh, young, and ambitious, the two drivers began carving out their legacy in the F1 world.

2019 McLaren

McLaren was undergoing a resurgence in 2019 after a series of challenging seasons. The arrival of Carlando gave McLaren a new life.

Different styles

What made the Carlando duo great was the partnership's versatility. Sainz being a seasoned driver with previous stints at Renault and Toro Rosso, brought experience and showed composure under pressure.

Speed demon

On the other hand, Lando Norris was a young rookie driver with great potential. His "speed demon" qualities made him the ideal partner in crime in the Carlando duo.

Intense but respectful

Their rivalry on the track was intense but respectful. They pushed each other to perform better every time. Sainz's experience gave him the edge in race management, while Norris's raw speed kept fans on the edge of their seats!

Constructors Championship

Together, the Carlando duo helped McLaren secure a solid 4th place in the Constructors Championship in 2019.

A F1 "bromance"

Both drivers are known for their playful antics and humorous banter. Fans couldn't get enough of their "bromance"!

Sainz to Ferrari

In 2021, Sainz left McLaren to join Scuderia Ferrari. A major step in the Spaniard's career, leaving behind Lando Norris at McLaren.

Still there!

Nevertheless, the relationship continues! Both drivers have a great relationship both inside and outside the F1 and still hold on to their Carlando team chemistry, as displayed in Singapore.

A helping hand

The Carlando bromance is a two-way street, both drivers have helped each other out in the past, regardless of their teams. During the 2023 Spanish GP qualifiers, Norris "granted" Sainz a couple of tenths of a second in order to qualify P2 at his home ground.

Good vibes

When questioned by the media, the British driver answered: "It is a home race for Carlos, so I thought I'd give him a couple of tenths, you know!"

Returning the favour

During the Singapore GP, Sainz knew he would have to engineer a miracle in order to stop the Mercedes threat. The Spaniard reduced his pace to allow Norris a DRS gap.

DRS boost

This unprecedented move took everyone by surprise, even at Ferrari! Nevertheless, the unorthodox maneuver granted Norris and his McLaren a crucial DRS boost in order to hold off Russel and Hamilton during the final laps.

The gap

Sainz repeatedly asked his team to update him on Norris's gap in order to keep him under a second. "I gave Lando DRS on purpose, in order to keep the Mercedes at bay and secure a win for Ferrari...During the final laps, Lando was defending his position (P2), so I reduced my speed to match the DRS gap."

A tarmac Coliseum

While Sainz provided the DRS, Norris stood his groups heroically and finished P2. "I felt like that was my only real chance of winning the race, and I wanted to win," shared Sainz after the race.

Sportmanship

Both drivers represent the true values of a sport. Where rivalries can become bitter, true sportsmanship and friendship can still thrive.

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