Lando Norris candidly admits that he sometimes wishes he could be more like his good friend Max Verstappen. The British driver often faces criticism for his ‘mental strength’, as he tends to be overly self-critical after setbacks. ‘In some ways, Max is really the opposite of me,’ concludes Norris.
Lando Norris faces a significant challenge after his retirement at Zandvoort. The McLaren driver needs to close a gap of 34 championship points to his teammate and championship leader Oscar Piastri. Max Verstappen experienced a similar situation in 2021, the year of the title battle with Lewis Hamilton. After the Hungarian Grand Prix, the Dutchman saw how the Brit, following Valtteri Bottas‘ ‘bowling game’ at the start, took the lead in the championship.
Bewondering for Verstappen
Norris honestly admits to Viaplay that he sometimes wishes he could be more like Verstappen. The four-time world champion was brought up when former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard asked Norris how he manages to stay true to himself amidst the exciting title fight. “It’s not as if that’s always the best thing to do,” the McLaren driver honestly explains. “I admire the qualities and mentality of other drivers, like Max, who really doesn’t care what anyone else thinks. Sometimes I wish I was more like that. In some ways, Max is probably the most opposite of me.”
Red Bull Advisor’s Critique and Norris’s Response
Last year, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko concluded that Lando Norris lacked the mental strength to win a title. The McLaren driver somewhat understands how the Austrian came to this conclusion. “Lewis wasn’t like that,” Norris continues. “Max, a four-time world champion, isn’t like that. Senna, Prost, whoever, they’re not like that. But I’m actually quite proud that if I manage to do it (win a title), I’ve done it my way.” The British driver, therefore, wants to stay true to himself for the rest of the season. “You don’t have to be a jerk. I want to do it my way.”
