With Formula 1 racing every year at Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgian Grand Prix, one question has been on everyone's mind: Is Lando Norris Belgian? Yes and no.
Norris races under the British flag and has been a Great Britain representative throughout his racing career. The McLaren driver, however, has a special family connection to Belgium as his mother is from the country.
Norris was born in Bristol, England, and has always raced under a British license, but his family roots are still in Belgium.
Why Does Lando Norris Have Belgian Roots?
Lando Norris was born on 13th November 1999 in Bristol. His father, Adam Norris, is a British businessman, and his mother, Cisca Wauman, is from the Flanders region of Belgium.
(Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/LAT Images)
Norris is a dual British and Belgian citizen, but has always raced under the British banner.
The Belgian link has made Spa-Francorchamps a second home for the McLaren man. In the years that have passed, Norris has been quoted as saying that he has received a lot of support from the local fans during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, many of whom have embraced him due to his family heritage.
He has other ties to Belgium besides Formula 1. Although his racing career has always been British, Norris has spent time in the country with his relatives and has often recognised his Belgian heritage.
Why Doesn't Lando Norris Race for Belgium?
Although he is a dual citizen, Norris has been representing Great Britain in his junior career and Formula 1 career. The drivers race under the nationality on their FIA Super Licence and Norris has never thought about changing to Belgium.
His career in British karting and junior single-seater racing was a natural progression to his Union Jack racing career when he joined McLaren in Formula 1 in 2019.
Interestingly, Norris isn't the only Formula 1 driver with Belgian family ties. Belgian-born Sophie Kumpen is the mother of four-time World Champion Max Verstappen, and Claire-Anne Callens is the Belgian mother of Aston Martin's Lance Stroll.
Belgian fans have a few homegrown links to cheer for, but Norris is still a proud Brit on the track. Nevertheless, he has a special connection with the Belgian Grand Prix as his mother was born there, and Spa is one of the most significant races for him every year.