McLaren’s Lando Norris Embraces Arctic Drifting with Solberg Dynasty, Hailing ‘Most Fun Car’ Experience.

Formula 1 driver Lando Norris recently ventured into the challenging world of rally and drifting, joining acclaimed Swedish-Norwegian rally drivers Petter and Oliver Solberg, alongside professional drifter Steve ‘Baggsy’ Biagioni, for a unique Monster Energy-backed challenge on a frozen lake in Sweden. The experience, which saw Norris pilot both a classic Volvo drift car and a modern rally machine, left the young Briton profoundly impressed, describing one of the vehicles as "one of the most fun cars I’ve ever driven."

Norris, currently gearing up for his sixth season with the McLaren F1 Team, shared his reflections with media in Melbourne ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. His comments offered a rare glimpse into a passion outside of circuit racing, revealing a long-held admiration for the rally discipline. "I drove a Volvo," Norris recounted, "But maybe one of the most fun cars I’ve ever driven in a way. So it was nice. I supported Oli." He elaborated on his childhood connection to rally, noting, "When I grew up, before I was introduced into Formula 1, one of the guys I actually looked up to was Richard Burns, was rally, was Subaru. And Petter was driving back then. So I used to love rally, and I’ve always loved rally."

The opportunity marked a significant moment for Norris, allowing him to immerse himself in a different facet of motorsport. "I got to have my first taste of driving a WR2 car and having a bit of fun with Oli in the snow and the ice," he explained, referring to a Rally2 specification vehicle. The stark contrast in driving dynamics between the precision of Formula 1 and the controlled chaos of rally was immediately apparent to the 24-year-old. "Quite a different style of driving needed to drive rally cars and Volvos compared to what I’m used to. But a lot of fun. I just never had the opportunity to go and see Oli, go out to his place and drive and have a bit of fun."

The collaboration provided a rare window for the two busy athletes to connect away from their demanding competition schedules. "So I finally had the opportunity," Norris continued. "It’s grown a good amount. I’ve just not been able to see him as much as I would have liked, or probably allow him to come to the races as much just because he’s busy. WRC, they travel a lot, just as much as we do at times. So it was nice. We both had a bit of time off, a couple of days, and we could spend it together and get to meet each other a bit more, talk and have a bit of fun and enjoy some things away from the serious stuff. So, yeah, it was a lot of fun."

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The setting for this high-octane encounter was a purpose-built snowy drift circuit carved out on a frozen lake in Sweden, a landscape synonymous with Scandinavian motorsport heritage. The quartet, comprised of Norris, two-time World Rally Champion Petter Solberg, his son and rising WRC star Oliver Solberg, and renowned drifting specialist Steve ‘Baggsy’ Biagioni, began their session with a classic, rear-wheel-drive Volvo 940. This model, a stalwart of Scandinavian motoring, has gained cult status within the drifting community for its robust chassis and adaptable nature.

After a masterclass demonstration from Petter Solberg, who boasts a career encompassing 13 World Rally Championship victories and multiple FIA World Rallycross titles, Norris took the wheel. Biagioni, an expert in the art of sideways driving, observed Norris’s rapid adaptation with keen interest. "Petter says, ‘Now it’s your time to have a go Mr Lando.’ So, we went out. We did two laps, and within the second lap he was linking the whole track," Biagioni recounted, clearly impressed. He highlighted Norris’s execution of "Big Scandinavian flicks," a signature manoeuvre in ice and snow drifting, deeming it "awesome to witness." For Biagioni, who himself started his drifting career in a Volvo, seeing Norris master the machine was particularly resonant. "My first ever drift car was a Volvo and getting to see Lando sliding a Volvo around here was very cool."

Following his successful foray into drifting, Norris transitioned to the more specialised environment of a contemporary rally car. He first took on the role of co-driver alongside Oliver Solberg in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. This vehicle represents the pinnacle of rallying’s second-tier category, featuring advanced all-wheel-drive systems, bespoke suspension, and a powerful turbocharged engine, making it a formidable machine on diverse surfaces. Oliver Solberg, a promising talent in the World Rally Championship with a strong family legacy, guided Norris through the intricacies of navigating a rally stage at speed, offering an invaluable perspective on the demanding discipline.

After experiencing the rally car from the passenger seat, Norris took control, demonstrating his innate car control and adaptability. The transition from the high-grip, aerodynamic demands of a Formula 1 car to the dynamic, slip-angle-focused approach of a rally car is significant. F1 cars rely on precise inputs and maximizing aerodynamic downforce through corners, while rally cars demand constant throttle adjustments, weight transfer, and counter-steering to maintain momentum on loose surfaces. Despite these differences, Norris’s performance drew high praise from Petter Solberg, a man whose career has been defined by his prowess on loose surfaces. "Very impressed actually, and I think at the end now he’s pushing properly," Petter stated, adding a testament to Norris’s pace: "I was actually driving behind him and I didn’t catch him, so it was actually really good."

This experience underscores the exceptional versatility of top-tier racing drivers and highlights the common foundational skills shared across diverse motorsport disciplines. Norris, known for his smooth driving style and precision in Formula 1, proved his ability to adapt to radically different vehicle dynamics and surface conditions. His F1 career, which began in 2019, has seen him accumulate 13 podium finishes and achieve a career-best fourth place in the 2023 Drivers’ Championship. McLaren, under the leadership of Team Principal Andrea Stella, enjoyed a resurgent second half of the 2023 season, securing fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship, a position they aim to build upon in 2024. Norris’s participation in this rally challenge not only offered a valuable break from the intense F1 pre-season preparations but also provided an opportunity to hone fundamental car control skills that are transferable, even if indirectly, to his primary discipline.

The Solberg family represents a dynasty in rallying. Petter Solberg’s 2003 World Rally Championship title with Subaru remains a celebrated moment in motorsport history, complemented by his two FIA World Rallycross Championship titles in 2014 and 2015. Oliver Solberg, at just 22 years old, is forging his own path, competing in the WRC2 category and demonstrating significant potential to follow in his father’s footsteps. Steve ‘Baggsy’ Biagioni, a prominent figure in the professional drifting scene, brings his own unique expertise, having competed in and won multiple championships, showcasing the theatrical and precise art of controlled skidding. The collaboration with Monster Energy, a brand deeply embedded in action sports and extreme motorsport, further amplifies the reach and appeal of such cross-discipline events.

For Norris, this snowy escapade was more than just an exhilarating diversion; it was a reconnection with a childhood passion and a demonstration of his profound driving talent. As he transitions back to the highly structured and competitive environment of Formula 1 for the upcoming Australian Grand Prix, the memory of Scandinavian flicks in a Volvo and pushing a rally car to its limits on ice will undoubtedly serve as a unique and refreshing experience, reaffirming his joy for driving in all its forms.

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Jonas Leo

Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.

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