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Weeks After Raising Money for an Honorable Cause Through Call of Duty, Lando Norris Recalls How Disapproval of FPS Games Kickstarted His F1 Career

Published 06/22/2023, 7:15 AM EDT

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via Reuters

When an act of kindness is put on display in a world filled with sorrow and distress, it unquestionably revives mankind. The Formula 1 community worked to bring this to light during the official eighth round at Imola GP, which had to be canceled due to flooding and torrential rains that forced hundreds of people to flee the area and claimed many lives. However, despite F1 announcing $1.07 million in assistance and other drivers pitching in, it was Mclaren star Lando Norris who used his unique gaming abilities to raise money for the victims. However, Norris now discusses how weeks after raising money for a noble cause, once disapproval of FPS games kick-started his F1 career.

At the young age of 19, Norris made his professional racing debut after earning several prestigious junior championship honors. He has won six podium finishes so far, including a P2 at the Italian GP as his best. In addition to his incredible racing career, Norris founded the Esports Group Quadrant. Additionally, we often see the British driver streaming on his Twitch channel in front of huge throngs of adoring viewers.

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As an initiative for the noble cause of raising funds for Imola GP victims, Norris, an enthusiast of rocket league and first-person shooters, staged a subathon on Call of Duty: Warzone. There he promised a $1000 donation for every 250 subscriptions towards a specific cause. And considering his popularity, the initiative was a success. Nevertheless, a current devotee of racing and shooting video games, the 23-year-old revealed in a recent interview at the Tribeca Festival in New York City, which was supported by McLaren cryptocurrency partner OKX, how his parents initially disapproved of his love for FPS games since they only wanted Norris to focus on racing.

He said, “I started when I was a kid, like a lot of kids do. I was never into the bad games, shooting and all of this. I never played any of these games, my parents didn’t let me. But driving [games], my parents allowed me to do.” Later Norris explained how playing those games helped him understand the basics of car racing, “I guess the basics, understanding the very simple things of how to drive a car — lines, techniques — you learn such simple things at a very early age.”

He added, “These skill sets develop and continue to develop even to where I am now. I’m still learning things. I’m still trying to perfect whatever I can perfect. And for me, I think it’s an advantage that I played these games, and I did at such an early age — 6, 7, 8 years old — and that definitely helped me become the person I am and the driver I am today.”

There aren’t many drivers on the F1 grid at the moment that are as interested in gaming as Norris. And who better to remark on the racing in the game than Norris? The British driver lately appeared to be weighing in on the most recent F1 23 game.

McLaren star Lando Norris weighs in his opinion on F1 23 latest edition

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With its gaming effects and controls, the most recent version of the official F1 game series has driven millions of people insane. On June 13th, the game was made available. The fans appear to have enjoyed the next part of the 2021 story, “Breaking Point.” Norris shared his opinion with race fans.

via Reuters

The Briton remarked prior to the Canadian Grand Prix, “They are still very, very different, like an actual simulator to a game.” Contrasting the simulator with the game, Norris added, ” Even the new game, it’s honestly nothing like it, it’s so far from it.” Though that doesn’t mean that the 23-year-old didn’t enjoy the game as he wrapped up by saying, “The games are so easy and nice, there’s no bumps, kerbs you can just drive over.”

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Do you believe that more Formula 1 driver will be interested in giving gaming a go now that it has advanced to new levels?

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Written by:

Aditya Srivastava

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Aditya Srivastava is an F1 writer at EssentiallySports with over two years of writing experience. He developed a keen interest in the sport after the unforgettable Abu Dhabi 2021 race. As a graduate of a premier institute, Aditya is committed to producing high-quality content that is engaging, informative, and accurate.
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