ADD Motorsports driver Lando Norris truly put himself on the world karting map after sensationally winning the WSK Euro Series this weekend - with a round to spare.
The 13-year-old was ecstatic after third place in Sarno proved enough to clinch the KFJ-class title.
After two brilliant wins in the previous rounds, the Glastonbury racer secured the points needed to add another championship to his collection and build on his ever-growing reputation.
Up against the words best karters, the feat was made all the more impressive being one of the youngest on the circuit and doing it with a round to spare.
A delighted Lando beamed: Its brilliant, I didnt expect to do so well so quickly and to win the title with a round to spare is amazing. Were really happy.
I had two good wins earlier in the competition and then did what I needed here to win the championship. Its been a really, really good year so far and hopefully theres a lot more to come.
Lando was lightning-quick during testing on Wednesday and Thursday, which continued into qualifying when he finished first.
For Super Pole, the kart dropped a little speed leaving Lando finishing in sixth position overall.But he was back in the groove on Saturday, when he won his first two heats from third position and finished the final two, fifth and third respectively.Lando won the pre-final by getting in front and staying there, but started the main final in second place as his time was not as quick as the other pre-final.
At this point the team realised a Top 5 position was good enough to clinch the championship.Although he got a good start, Lando began on the outside for the first time in Sarno and soon dropped to seventh after being overtaken.But lap-by-lap he pulled the places back and with three-quarters of the race gone he had manoeuvred himself back into third. The team told him to settle for the position rather than risking going for the win, which was in his grasp.
After victories in La Conca and Zuera in March, it was enough to clinch a famous title.He added: We have been improving lots this year, from everything from strategy to engine.Im also a lot more confident, especially in making the right decisions during races.But we dont want to stop here, theres a long way to go to the end of the season.I want to thank RFM for all the hard work theyve put in so far, theyve been fantastic.
After being crowned champion in the Formula Kart Stars series and runner-up in the MSA Super One British Championship last season, Lando has stepped up a gear this year alreadybeating older, more experienced drivers in a tougher competition.And after cruising to victory in the Rotax Max Euro Challenge opener this season and with everything still to play for in the Masters Series, Lando has his eye on still more silverware.
He laughed: Im going to have to get another room for the trophiesIm running out of space!
About Lando Norris:Lando has been racing since he was just seven, getting his race licence just a year later.At the age of nine he claimed pole-position at his first national event and to date is the youngest driver to ever get pole at a national meeting.A year on, and he finished third in the Super One Series, despite racing drivers up to three years olderand picked up the coveted O Plate during the season.The 2012 season was undoubtedly his best, when the talented 12-year-old was crowned champion in the Formula Kart Stars series and runner-up in the MSA Super One British Championship.
