Lando Norris has been one of the standout drivers in the 2025 Formula 1 season, benefiting greatly from McLaren’s strong pace. The British driver holds a leading position in the championship standings, currently engaged in a close points battle with teammate Oscar Piastri. Although Piastri leads by 34 points, Max Verstappen remains within striking distance, trailing Norris by just 70 points, setting the stage for a potential late-season showdown. Amid this tense championship fight, Norris has recently shed light on the mental contrasts between himself and Verstappen.
Max Verstappen is widely recognized for his uncompromising and fiercely direct approach to racing and public statements. The Dutch driver is known for his bluntness, often speaking candidly even on controversial topics. In contrast, Norris maintains a humble demeanor and tends to be highly self-critical regarding his on-track errors. Despite advice to temper this self-criticism, the 25-year-old Brit has remained consistent in his introspective style.
When discussing his personality as a competitor, Norris acknowledged the differences he has with Verstappen. While admiring several traits of other drivers, he singled out Verstappen’s aggressive and unapologetic “f*** you” attitude as something he sometimes wishes he possessed. Yet, he accepted that his nature is markedly different from Verstappen’s, suggesting a fundamental contrast in their characters.
“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’. But it’s just the difference of people, and Max probably contrasts with me the most in some ways.”
—Lando Norris, told Viaplay
Norris pointed out that while he recognizes his mindset might be perceived as a weakness by some, this only becomes an issue if he lets external opinions and media scrutiny affect him negatively. He emphasized that all great champions have maintained focus without succumbing to outside pressures, naming Lewis Hamilton, Verstappen himself, Ayrton Senna, and Alain Prost as examples.
“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.”
—Lando Norris
Assessing the Advantage Norris Holds Over His Teammate Oscar Piastri
Oscar Piastri has made an impressive impact since joining McLaren in 2023, currently leading the drivers’ championship by 34 points over Norris. Despite several costly mistakes that caused him to drop in the rankings, Norris believes experience remains his key advantage against the younger Australian. The British driver, active in F1 since 2019, acknowledges that having four additional years of racing knowledge has helped him develop a deeper understanding of the sport’s nuances.
“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’, And that is my advantage over Oscar.”
—Lando Norris
With nine races remaining in the 2025 season, including the upcoming Italian Grand Prix, Norris is under pressure to deliver consistent, error-free performances. His ability to outscore Piastri could depend on how effectively he manages to capitalize on his experience and maintain composure during the crucial final rounds. On the other hand, Piastri’s path to the title looks to be steadier; maintaining his current pace and consistently challenging Norris will be essential for the Australian to keep championship hopes alive.
The Influence of Mindset on Championship Contention in Formula 1
The contrasting attitudes of Norris and Verstappen represent two distinct approaches to competing at the highest level of motorsport. Verstappen’s aggressive style and bold mental stance underline his resilience and hunger for victory, which has earned him multiple world championships. Norris’ introspective and humble nature, though sometimes self-critical, demonstrates a different kind of competitive spirit that values learning and steady growth.
How Norris balances his reflective tendencies with the ruthlessness needed to challenge drivers like Verstappen will be pivotal in shaping his future success. With Verstappen closing the gap and Piastri charging ahead, the 2025 season promises a gripping conclusion, where mental strength might prove as decisive as speed on the track.
As Norris continues his fight toward the championship, observing how drivers manage their attitudes amid the pressure could influence future talents in Formula 1. The contrasting examples set by Verstappen and Norris show there is no singular path to success in this highly competitive sport.
