Jenson Button has identified mental resilience as the crucial challenge facing Lando Norris in his pursuit of the 2025 Formula 1 world championship, rather than Norris’s raw speed on track. Despite a difficult start to the season, with multiple errors and no wins since the Australian Grand Prix in March, Norris remains just 13 points behind teammate Oscar Piastri in the standings.
The early part of this F1 season has proven tough for Norris, who has struggled particularly during qualifying sessions. His McLaren MCL39 has been difficult to manage, leaving him vulnerable compared to Piastri, who has made significant progress compared to last year. Norris is notably candid about his struggles, which makes Button’s advice for him to relax all the more relevant.
Jenson Button Highlights Mental Challenge Over Driving Skills
Button, who claimed the world title in 2009, emphasized the mental pressures that Norris is up against in the championship battle. Speaking about a crucial race weekend, Button noted the limits of overtaking opportunities on the current circuit and how Norris’s qualifying form has faltered, especially in comparison to Piastri.
“Piastri put in the wall, pulled the car out and still went quicker than Lando. It is a tough one. It definitely plays on your mind when it’s race after race your teammate is out-qualifying you,”
Button remarked.
He added that Norris’s speed is unquestionable but the stress and mental strain of competing at this level have caused him to tighten up during some races.
“It’s about managing that which is the most difficult part of his job. It’s not the driving – he knows how quick he is. It’s more managing the mental aspect of it and that’s where he’s tightened up at a few races.” —Jenson Button
Building Confidence to Reverse Negative Momentum
The momentum currently favors Oscar Piastri, who has won four of the first six races and out-qualified Norris as many times in 2025 as he did all of last year. This upward trajectory is putting additional pressure on Norris as he seeks to regain his competitive edge.
Naomi Schiff, a former W Series driver, has observed that Norris’s challenge could be more about mental overthinking and pushing too hard to close the gap with Piastri, rather than a lack of speed or skill. Schiff considers a breakthrough result critical for turning the season around.
“That negative momentum can be easily turned around with one good result, one good qualifying and for a driver like Lando, who is so critical of himself and does play that harder psychological game on himself it will make a world of difference.” —Naomi Schiff
Schiff also mentioned that Norris’s confidence in the car might be contributing to the difficulties and that stabilizing his mindset will be key to reclaiming the mental upper hand over his teammate.
The Importance of Mental Management in F1 Competition
The pressures of Formula 1 racing extend well beyond physical speed and technical skill; managing the psychological demands of the sport can be the difference between winning and falling short. Norris’s willingness to acknowledge his mental hurdles sets him apart in a sport where drivers rarely expose vulnerabilities.
With Button’s encouragement to relax and a spotlight on the mental side of racing, Norris’s approach in the upcoming rounds will be crucial. Successfully overcoming this stress could not only improve his qualifying performance but also help him regain race-winning form, enabling him to mount a stronger challenge for the F1 world championship.
As the season continues, Norris’s ability to navigate these mental obstacles will likely shape the dynamics of the title fight, making his psychological resilience as vital as his skill behind the wheel.
