Lando Norris on the pitfalls of fame, the ‘creepy’ world of F1 Twitter and the struggle to keep his private life private

If you were looking for a face to represent Generation Z in Formula One, Lando Norris’ might just be it. As one of F1’s most popular drivers, and possibly it’s most active online, he fits the bill perfectly.

What sets Norris apart from many of his peers is his social media presence. He has 4.4 million followers on Instagram, 1.5 million on Twitter and 1.1 million on Twitch. His Instagram and Twitter numbers are middling compared to some F1 drivers but it’s the Twitch following that makes him stand out.

In the early months of the pandemic, Norris set streaming records as the world turned to online gaming in lieu of live sports. It’s not difficult to understand why Norris is loved by so many F1 fans. Beyond the gaming and streaming, he’s established himself as someone worth supporting on track and off it.

On track, he’s one of the sport’s most exciting young talents, demonstrated this year by the fact he’s largely out-performed Daniel Ricciardo, one of the grid’s best rated drivers. Off track, he’s become an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness. Norris just seems different to most F1 drivers of a similar age.

The impact his personality has had is obvious. A recent poll of 167,000 F1 fans found Norris to be the second most popular in the sport, behind current championship leader Max Verstappen and ahead of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Considering he’s got four fewer seasons to his name than Verstappen, 12 fewer than Hamilton and is yet to claim his first F1 victory, it’s not outrageous to suggest he might top similar polls in a few years’ time.

It all sounds great, but fame often comes at a price. You only have to talk to Norris for a few moments to see how sincerely he appreciates and loves his fanbase. But it’s also clear that being a popular young F1 driver today comes with a twist.

Delve below the surface of the community known…