A roar reverberates around Trafalgar Square as Lando Norris comes into view on a temporary balcony, erected as part of McLaren’s takeover of one of London’s most famous sites.
The place is swarming with papaya fans, who have spent the day soaking up the summer sun and showing their support for the British team.
Norris waves to the crowd and humbly takes the applause and cheers. It’s an example of just how far Norris has come from a shy, little baby-faced teenager who walked in the doors of McLaren’s domineering headquarters in Woking as a junior driver in 2017 to the iconic F1 team’s lead driver and genuine championship contender. It’s been a journey – and now, as is evidenced again today, he’s a big deal.