Lando Norris has been 'unmasked' as it has emerged that he has been testing cars in a completely different series as he battles for his first F1 championship.
Norris got off to the perfect start to the 2025 F1 season in Australia, where he fought off Max Verstappen in difficult conditions to take victory.
While the McLaren star still currently leads the championship, the three races since have been far from perfect, with his teammate Oscar Piastri winning twice and Verstappen taking the chequered flag first in Japan.
Piastri was dominant in Bahrain as Norris struggled to fight his way past Charles Leclerc to make the podium following a disappointing qualifying for the Brit.
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Following his P6 on Saturday, Norris claimed it felt like he'd 'never driven an F1 car before' and there could be a very good reason for it.
According to the former Williams team manager, Peter Windsor, Norris has been testing rally cars in 'extreme secrecy' away from his duties at McLaren.
This comes after it was confirmed last summer that an unnamed active driver was testing WRC cars, with many originally suspecting Verstappen or Valtteri Bottas.
Rather unsurprisingly given his F1 credentials, Windsor has claimed Norris' performances in the WRC tests have been very impressive.
Speaking on the Cameron Cc YouTube channel, Windsor exposed Norris as the mystery driver.
“I know Lando is a serious WRC fan," he began.
“And I hope I’m not giving away too many secrets here when I say I know he’s been out in WRC cars and he’s unbelievably good.”
It shouldn't be too much of a surprise to hear Norris has been behind the wheel, as he has previously admitted the WRC scene is something he has a serious interest in.
Speaking on Quadrant while reacting to rally clips back in 2022, Norris said: “That is the coolest thing in the world.”
“I would like to have a go in one. I also feel like I would die in one," he joked.
Topics: Lando Norris, Motorsport, McLaren, Formula 1
Tom Jenkins