Lando Norris has experienced a challenging but rewarding journey to clinch a driver’s championship for McLaren, ending the team’s 17-year title drought. Over his seven seasons with McLaren, the British driver’s evolution in handling pressure and adversity has become a key factor in his rise, though he is not widely tipped as the favorite for this season‘s title, with George Russell often regarded as leading the field.
Zak Brown highlights Norris’ progress in dealing with setbacks
During an interview at Daytona, McLaren CEO Zak Brown reflected on Norris’ significant personal and professional growth. Brown emphasized the driver’s enhanced ability to accept setbacks without undue self-criticism, marking a clear change from earlier in his career when struggles affected him more intensely.
Lando has really matured. He’s done it his way. He’s very proud of that. I’m very proud of that… I think where I have seen him mature is when he has a bad day, he doesn’t let it bother him.
– Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren
I think it bothered him in the early days, and he would talk about it. That was one of his release mechanisms. I think that’s good. Some people saw that as a weakness; I saw that as a strength.
– Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren
However, when it did trip into the weakness category would be when I think he was unfairly hard on himself.
– Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren
’Actually, no, you didn’t get it that wrong. There were other circumstances. Maybe you got it a little wrong, you didn’t get it that wrong.’
– Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren
I think his confidence and ability to rebound from a bad session and bad race, whether that was his fault or our fault, or just circumstances, I saw him grow there.
– Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren
Competitive dynamics between Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri
Brown also addressed the internal competition at McLaren between Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri. He expressed support for having two leading drivers vying equally for victories, stressing that this strategy aligns with fans’ desires and enhances the team’s chance to secure top results in the constructors’ championship.
We got two number one drivers. Isn’t that what the fans want? That’s what I want. I don’t want a one and a two. First off, if you have a one and two, you’re not going to have two number ones….
– Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren
The downside of having a clear number one and number two is whoever you decide is number two is gone. You won’t be able to recruit. The best way to win the constructors is to finish first and second in the drivers.
– Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren
Both Norris and Piastri agreed after team discussions to clarify internal rules, aiming to reduce friction stemming from last season and promote a more unified front moving forward. Norris has emphasized individual and collective improvement as essential to maintaining McLaren’s recent success.
Implications for McLaren’s 2024 Formula 1 campaign
McLaren’s approach of fostering two highly competitive drivers introduces some tension but offers a strategic advantage in the race for both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles. Norris’ demonstrated mindset growth, combined with Piastri’s emergence, places the team in a strong position as testing in Bahrain sets the stage for the season ahead. The coming months will reveal how well McLaren manages this internal rivalry alongside external challenges posed by rivals like George Russell and others.
