McLaren CEO Zak Brown has come to the defense of his driver, Lando Norris, after former 1980 Formula 1 world champion Alan Jones described Norris as “mentally weak.” The statement was made amid mounting pressure as Norris prepares for a tense title battle in the current F1 season. Speaking to Fox Sports Australia, Jones suggested that Norris’ teammate, Australian Oscar Piastri, had a psychological edge over the British driver, which could cost Norris the championship.
Alan Jones claimed that Piastri
can do it this year, no question,
labeling Norris as mentally vulnerable. He added that, despite Piastri’s speed, it was Norris’ mindset that was holding him back.
He’s coming out with all this nonsense that he’s got a bit of a mental thing, he’s dwelling on some of the problems he’s had rather than the positives,
Jones said.
When they start talking all that nonsense, you know you’ve got them.
Brown firmly rejected these comments when asked at the Miami Grand Prix, emphasizing that Norris’ openness about his mental challenges is actually a strength rather than a weakness. He explained that self-criticism is a tool Norris uses to improve, rather than a sign of fragility.
First of all, I’m a big Alan Jones fan,
Brown stated, acknowledging Jones’ status as a tough former driver.
I think it’s easy and understandable for people to have a view on other people from the outside looking in.
Brown went on to highlight how different athletes express their thoughts in diverse ways, and Norris happens to be very candid.
Lando’s always very open with his comments. I think you see different athletes talking about what they’ve done in different ways. Some don’t talk about it at all, some talk about it a lot. I think it’s all a way for them to get it out of their system and move on.
Drawing on his recent interaction with tennis star Novak Djokovic, Brown shared insights about how top athletes channel a range of emotions to perform at their best.
I just spent some quality time with Novak Djokovic, which I thought was fascinating on how he uses his range of emotions to perform. So no, I didn’t agree with the comments, but I understand why he might have that view. And he was a tough guy, right? So that’s probably not how he would roll. So, yeah, one person’s opinion.
This particular moment of defense comes at a crucial time, as Norris has faced challenges with the updated McLaren MCL39 car for the 2025 season. The significant technical changes in the vehicle’s design have made it more difficult for Norris to extract maximum performance, unlike Piastri, who appeared to adapt more quickly. This divergence has intensified public scrutiny on Norris’ mental resilience.
When asked about Norris’ strategy to rebuild his confidence, Brown advised the driver to let go of the pursuit of perfection and instead focus on consistent performance.
I think he needs to stop striving for perfection. If you talk to any driver, they’ll always say they’ve never done the perfect lap, so I think just focus on doing the best you can.
Brown also praised Norris’ recent efforts, pointing out that despite some difficulties, he remains a strong competitor at the top of the championship standings.
He did a great job yesterday, leading the championship up until last race, he’s ten points behind. I think he’s got as good a chance at pole and winning these races as anyone.
Expanding on the theme of managing expectations, Brown shared a practical analogy about pit stops, highlighting the importance of focusing on doing one’s best rather than chasing perfection.
For me, perfection is do the best you can and if you miss that apex by three inches or a meter too late, that’s going to happen. So, I think striving for doing the best you can is the best approach.
He added,
We do a 1.8 second pit stop. I bet we can do a 1.78, but don’t go into each pit stop going: ‘I’m going to do a 1.78.’ Just go into each pit stop doing the best you can. So, I think that’s a better place to be.
As the Formula 1 season intensifies, the debate over Lando Norris’ mental toughness will likely continue. However, Zak Brown’s defense shines a light on the complexity behind an athlete’s mindset and the strategic use of self-reflection in high-pressure environments. With the championship battle heating up, Norris’ approach and resilience could play a decisive role in determining who takes the crown.
