McLaren’s Lando Norris is racing through his seventh Formula 1 season with a heart-on-sleeve approach that’s as refreshing as a cool breeze in the paddock.
But in a sport known for its cutthroat rivalries and larger-than-life personalities, the 25-year-old Brit admits he sometimes wishes he could channel the unapologetic “f*** you” swagger of his friend and rival Max Verstappen.
In a candid interview with David Coulthard for Dutch F1 broadcaster Viaplay, aired during last weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, Norris opened up about his unique approach to racing, his mental health journey, and the fine line between staying authentic and craving a tougher edge.
A Different Kind of F1 Star
Norris has never been one to hide his emotions. Unlike the stone-faced stoicism of some drivers, he’s been a trailblazer in wearing his vulnerabilities like a badge of honor.
But that openness, he admits, can sometimes feel like a double-edged sword in a sport where confidence is king. When asked how he remains so “open, analytical and sharing,” Norris didn’t shy away from self-reflection.
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“I admire characteristics and mentalities of other drivers such as Max, where it really is that kind of ‘f*** you’ attitude. Sometimes I'm like, ‘I wish I was more like that, I really do’” he conceded.
“But it's just the difference of people, and Max probably contrasts with me the most in some ways.
“And some days I know what I have, it can be weaker and it can be taken advantage of – but only if I really give in to you or media or anyone questioning a lot and saying it is a weakness because Lewis wasn't like that, Max, a four-time world champion, is not like that; these guys weren't like that, Senna, Prost, whoever you want to say."
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Yet, Norris is determined to carve his own path.
“But I guess what I'll be most proud of is if I can do it, and just do it my way. I can set – not a new standard, but a new way of, ‘you don't need to be a dickhead, you don't need to have that kind of attitude’. I want to do it my way,” he declared with conviction.
It’s a bold stance in a sport where bravado often overshadows authenticity, and Norris is betting on his genuine personality to carry him to the top.
Battling Piastri – Calm vs. Emotional
Norris has also found himself measured against teammate Oscar Piastri as the pair duel for the championship.
The Briton admitted that the young Australian’s unflappable demeanor has given him an edge in high-pressure moments.
“As much as I always hated using experience as an excuse or reasoning for things, you end up going, ‘yeah, well, I just learned about this because of experience’,” Norris admitted. “And that is my advantage over Oscar.
“But he certainly doesn't lack in speed, talent, ability in any sense of the word. So, I know what I'm going up against. I'm going up against a guy who is the same speed as me and just as good as me. He's incredibly calm.
“He’s cool. I feel like I am, but he makes me look like I'm emotional.”
The intra-team battle has added spice to McLaren’s season, with both drivers vying for supremacy in a car capable of challenging for wins.
But at the Dutch Grand Prix, Norris’ championship hopes took a big hit with a mechanical retirement, leaving him 34 points behind Piastri in the standings.
But with expectations suddenly lowered, the McLaren star could find himself racing with fewer burdens, as McLaren team boss Andrea Stella suggested after last Sunday’s event.
And that might just suit Norris perfectly: a driver determined to succeed on his own terms, with his own personality – whether or not he ever adopts Verstappen’s uncompromising edge.
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