F1's Lando Norris backed for glory by first school

Formula 1 driver Lando Norris is being encouraged to go all the way and win his maiden championship title by teachers and pupils at his first school.

Currently in second place in the overall standings with seven races to go, his former reception class teacher Angela Perrett said that even as a four-year-old Norris "loved racing around with all the other children".

She taught him at Chew Stoke Church School in Somerset in 2004. Teaching assistant Sue Lewis remembered that even back then Norris liked to play with cars.

Mrs Lewis said: "We have a box in the class which is still here which he would use as a ramp to run his cars up and down with the other children."

She also remembered his competitive nature and love of winning.

Mrs Lewis added: "He had a couple of close little friends and they would run from one end of the playground to the other and they all liked to be first and Lando was really tiny but he always used to come first because he was that competitive."

More than 20 years on, Norris will need to draw on that competitive streak more than ever as the battle to be crowned Formula 1 champion intensifies.

Mrs Perrett, who has now retired, still has a card given to her by Norris' class, which was called Hedgehog Class, with a photo of Norris inside and what could be his first ever signature.

She described him as a "happy child, with a cheeky smile".

Both Mrs Lewis and Mrs Perrett follow Norris' career closely, along with the school's current crop of pupils.

Last year he sent them a video message to thank them for writing to him after he won his first Grand Prix in Miami.

Year six pupil Charlie, aged 10, said: "I didn't know until a couple of years ago that he came to this school. It's crazy."

The final race of the season is in Abu Dhabi on 7 December and the school's head teacher has promised the children that they can have a big celebration if Norris wins the title.

Norris achieved his best championship finish of second in 2024 and is currently 25 points behind McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri in the 2025 standings.

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.