Lando Norris described achieving pole position in Monaco as his only ’emotional’ moment in Formula 1. The 25-year-old Brit has been involved in an exciting title race with teammate Oscar Piastri since the season opener in Melbourne – the difference between them is just nine World Championship points heading into the second half of the season. Norris, who has often been candid about a lack of self-confidence, discusses how his ’emotional’ pole in Monaco has been a wake-up call.
Since his Formula 1 debut in 2019, Norris has experienced both highs and lows. The McLaren driver has raced several brilliant races, but has also often been criticized for minor errors and moments when he seemed to buckle under pressure. He has shown vulnerability by openly discussing doubts and mental health issues. However, he admits, he finds it difficult to show his emotions during the highs.
In an interview with the YouTube channel Quadcast, Norris said that after his first win in Miami last year, he wanted to cry, but couldn’t. “I just don’t get emotional,” he said. “Sometimes I want to cry, but it doesn’t happen. In Miami, for example, I would have liked to shed a tear, but I just couldn’t.”
Most challenging pole of the year
“The only emotional moment I had was the pole position in Monaco,” he reflected. “That was mainly because I proved to myself then that I can still do it. Ultimately, the mental battle is the hardest, so I’m happiest when I prove myself. That has always driven me. Moreover, all my qualifications this season were somewhat less than in previous years. Then you start to doubt: ‘Have I regressed, do I no longer have the right feeling in the car?'”
That’s why pole position in Monaco was so important – it was proof that he can still perform at the highest level. “I have to compete against the best drivers in the world,” Norris concluded. “If you’re not perfect, you’re not on pole. In Monaco – the toughest qualification of the year – so much can go wrong. But I went on the track and proved that I can still do it. That was just an incredibly cool moment.”
