Carlando – The Formula 1 "bromance"

Another thrilling Formula 1 season is in the books, capped off by a heartwarming display of friendship in the final race of 2024. The 'Carlando' bromance shines brighter than ever, as both drivers continue to enjoy friendly podium battles.

Lando Norris defended Carlos Sainz’s standing after his departure from Ferrari, saying, "He deserves a good seat and to fight for victories in F1," during an interview with DAZN.

Carlos Sainz and Ferrari came close to snatching a well-deserved Constructors' Championship from McLaren, but Lando Norris ultimately secured the title. Despite the rivalry, both drivers were all smiles.

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"The fact we're not team-mates anymore relieves the pressure that you have with your team-mate, the rivalry," shared Sainz with regard to their friendship as F1 drivers.

Carlos Sainz claimed his second F1 career victory at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Lando Norris finished P2 with his McLaren after the Carlando duo outperformed both Mercedes drivers. It was brilliant race management that benefited both Sainz and Lando.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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!"

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.

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.

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."

While Sainz provided the DRS, Norris stood his ground 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.

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

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