Lando Norris has shared the reasons he works with a therapist as he approaches the end of his seventh Formula 1 season. The McLaren driver, now 25, began competing in F1 at just 19 years old and revealed to Vogue that the anxiety he experienced stemmed more from what happens outside the car than the racing itself. Norris emphasized that the intense pressure from the sport’s public exposure triggered his need for professional support, highlighting the challenges beyond the track that affected his mental well-being.
Despite the external stress, Norris described the cockpit of an F1 car as a place of comfort, contrasting starkly with his discomfort in nearly every other aspect of life. Interestingly, he noted that it is his mother who becomes most anxious when he is racing, while he personally feels safer inside the car than many realize.
Understanding the Chaos Behind the Scenes
Reflecting on his early experiences in Formula 1, Norris admitted how overwhelming the spotlight initially was. He explained,
“The amount of people, the videos, the TV cameras, journalists. That’s the most unnatural bit for me. You don’t see that when you’re watching when you’re a kid. You just see the cool side: the cars, the podium. You don’t see the chaos.”
This chaotic environment off-track, with constant media scrutiny and public attention, was something he was unprepared for as a young driver.
Currently, Norris is engaged in a close title contest with his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, trailing by 25 points in what is effectively a two-driver battle despite ongoing efforts to include Max Verstappen in the championship discussion. As the Singapore Grand Prix approaches, Norris prepares to return to a setting where he feels in control and confident.
Norris’s Perspective on Racing, Crashes, and Control
Norris once again highlighted the difference between his experience inside the car and the rest of the world.
“I feel super comfy in a car and basically everything else in the world I don’t feel comfortable with,”
he said. He also acknowledged his mother’s nervousness about his racing, adding,
“My mum is the most nervous. You feel safer inside [the car] than what my parents think it is from the outside. You’re very much in control. Until you’re not…Which can happen.”
Addressing the topic of crashing, a risk all drivers face, Norris revealed what happens during those moments:
“You become a passenger. You know that it’s going to happen at some points, when you’re on the limit, trying to be the quickest…”
He stressed the importance of learning from such experiences, saying,
“The main part of being a good racing driver is learning from it, not remembering it. You don’t want it to have a bad effect.”
The Broader Context and What Lies Ahead
With the 2024 F1 season intensifying, Norris’s openness about his mental health shines a light on the growing awareness of athlete well-being under extreme pressure. As McLaren pushes for its first driver’s title since the upcoming rule changes shake up the sport’s dynamics, Norris’s balance between mental resilience and competitive drive will be crucial. His candid comments reveal the complex realities faced by modern racers, balancing performance and personal challenges amidst intense global scrutiny.
