Lando Norris, the McLaren Formula 1 driver, recently shared insights into how his childhood routine and family values played a crucial role in building the foundation for his success in the demanding world of F1. Speaking on the Pivot Podcast, Norris highlighted the early discipline instilled by his parents, which shaped not only his work ethic but also his character, crucial elements that continue to influence his performance today.
Norris’s love for racing began, surprisingly, not on the track but through video games.
“My dad was the guy who, you know… I would come home when I was three, four years old,”
he explained.
“He’d be playing Gran Turismo, um, you know, some of the greats do start on Gran Turismo. And then I would wanna beat my dad. And then I’d race on the controller, and then eventually went to the steering wheel and the pedals and stuff.”
This early fascination with racing games evolved naturally into a passion for real motorsport, rooted in play but nurtured through discipline.
However, success did not come without structure or responsibility. Norris recalled how his parents insisted he earn the right to engage in his passion.
“I started that quite young. But he was the guy who, and my mom as well for sure – who made me, at an early age, just work for things. You know, if I wanted to go and drive and play on Gran Turismo, because that’s what I loved, I used to do the chores in the house. I had to go and mow the lawn. I had to go and do these other things.”
This approach reinforced a strong work ethic from a young age, teaching Norris that dedication and discipline are part of any achievement.
Reflecting on how this foundation impacted his professional career, Norris praised his parents for their balanced parenting style.
“The discipline of things already, I think, was ingrained in me from quite an early age. But my parents brought me up in a very good way. I’m very thankful for them – not only for supporting me in the whole journey and for me being lucky enough that they could support me – letting me grow up in a correct way, you know? In a good way, with, I think, good manners and good humility and all those things.”
He emphasized the importance of respect in his development, saying,
“Having a lot of respect for the people that I work with and that I kind of always looked up to, you know? So I think that’s a very important thing. That’s probably one of the things that means the most to me – growing up like that and being a good kid rather than just someone who’s doing free-for-all and [is] rude but fast. And I would always almost take it the other way around.”
The results of this upbringing are clear on the track. Norris began his current Formula 1 season strongly, securing both pole position and victory at the challenging Australian Grand Prix, setting the tone for the year. His McLaren car has proven to be competitive, showcasing Norris’s ability to deliver under pressure. However, the season is far from decided, as his teammate Oscar Piastri, driving the same machinery, currently leads the championship with four wins in six races. This fierce intra-team rivalry hints that Norris may soon return to humble beginnings, perhaps booting up Gran Turismo once again to sharpen his competitive edge.
Lando Norris’s journey from a young boy chasing his father in video game races to an elite F1 driver demonstrates the power of early discipline and strong family values in shaping a sports career. His story reminds aspiring athletes and fans alike that talent coupled with hard work and respect for others forms the backbone of success. As the season unfolds, it will be fascinating to see how this foundation continues to support Norris in his pursuit of F1 glory amid intense competition.
