After winning the world championship last year, Lando Norris thanked his most important companions with a dinner: karting coach Rob Dodds reveals the details
McLaren driver Lando Norris secured his first Formula 1 world championship title last year. But the 26-year-old Briton clearly knows that he owes this success not only to his own achievements, but also to the many people who have accompanied him throughout his career.
Back in December, shortly after Norris was presented with his world championship trophy at the FIA gala in Tashkent, the new Formula 1 world champion took the time to celebrate his triumph with the most important people in his life at a dinner.
In addition to his parents Adam Norris and Cicsa Wauman and his siblings, McLaren boss Zak Brown and team principal Andrea Stella were also invited. Also in attendance were his former children’s karting coach Rob Dodds, karting coach and mentor Duncan Tappy, his long-time performance coach Jon Malvern, karting engine specialist Ole Haugard, and Formula 1 race engineer Will Joseph.
Karting coach receives special gift from Norris
Karting coach Dodds, who sat at the same table as Norris, his family, Stella, and Brown, shared some of his impressions of the evening with BBC Radio Somerset. “[Norris] gave a speech during the evening and had prepared some short videos,” the Brit revealed.
“One started with me and him talking about what we’ve done. It was very emotional.” Dodds also reveals that the McLaren driver surprised him with one of his old helmets, which was displayed in a glass case with a handwritten message.
“While we were at the party, they went into the room, and he had actually put one of his old helmets in a plexiglass frame,” said Dodds, who once taught Norris how to kart at Clay Pigeon Raceway in England. “It was a wonderful gesture.” The personal words on the top of the display case also show that Norris still remembers what he owes to his former karting coach: “To Rob, where my journey to F1 began! Thank you. World Champion, Lando Norris.”