Norris doesn't think he always has 'the right mentality' for F1

Lando Norris was the runner-up to Max Verstappen in 2024, despite having the best overall car in most of the Grand Prix's. Much of his defeat to the Dutchman may be put down to his 'I'll believe it when I see it' mindset which in his own words may not be "the correct mentality" for F1. However, the Briton, having 'seen it' in 2024, is now ready to 'believe it' ahead of the 2025 season.

Dreams always seem distant for Norris

"Definitely through last year, I had those moments, the good moments, and not just because it's after a good race or a win or whatever. Sometimes it's even after the tougher races where Max got the better of me or something like that, I had that little kick of like, 'okay, I can do this. I can race against him. I can fight at the front,'" Norris began on Formula One's youtube channel.

"Because for me, I've always felt like the kid of, like, 'one day I want to be in Formula One. and race against these guys.' It always seems distant. Then when you're in F1, and for me, it was like, 'now I'm in F1, but I've got to race against Lewis [Hamilton] and Fernando [Alonso], and these guys have been doing it for years, and Max [Verstappen]," added the McLaren driver who in 2024 experienced first-hand how tough the racing at the front can be, especially against Verstappen.

Norris' 'see it to believe it mentality' not right for F1?

"And then for me I've always felt like I've had to experience something to really make myself believe it. Last year, I experienced that time. I won some races, I fought these guys that I've like, [thought] 'how am I going to do against them?' And for me, I just can't answer something until I know it, really. Maybe that's not always the correct mentality to have and the right thought of things, but that's me, and that's how I work," said a vulnerable Norris.

However, he accepts himself as he is, and knows that some 'weaknesses' may also translate into strengths in other aspects, that give him hope for the future. "Some things aren't great, and some things are great, and a lot of it makes me me. And why I'm very good in certain areas. But last year was that moment where I was like, 'I can do it.'

Was 2024 the last piece of the championship puzzle for Norris?

After dominating in Abu Dhabi last year and clinching the Constructors' for McLaren, Norris made some bold claims. "Which is why I said what I said at the last race. Not because it was out of overconfidence or like, 'next year's my year,' in the arrogant way. I feel like I compete against these guys. I can be at the top, I can fight. But I know I've got to work harder. So it's never an easy answer. But last year was a good year for realising that for myself," the McLaren driver concluded.

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