Norris on learning from Verstappen's champion mentality
Fresh from his 2025 title win, Lando Norris reveals he still looks to learn from rival Max Verstappen's mentality, admitting he wishes he had more of the Red Bull driver's attributes. Norris stresses the need for near-perfection when fighting at the top, even as he expresses confidence in his current high level.
Despite winning the 2025 drivers' championship, McLaren's Lando Norris openly admits he still looks to rival Max Verstappen for inspiration, highlighting key attributes in the Red Bull driver's mentality and approach that he wishes to adopt. Norris, who beat Verstappen by just two points last season, insists he is happy with his current level but acknowledges the relentless pursuit of perfection required at the top of Formula 1.
Why it matters:
A reigning champion publicly analyzing what he can learn from his closest rival is a rare display of humility and a sharp focus on continuous improvement. It underscores that even at the pinnacle of success, the mindset of the sport's top drivers involves constant self-critique and adaptation. Norris's comments reveal the psychological depth of the championship battle and set the stage for another intense season where mental edges will be as crucial as car performance.
The details:
- In a pre-season interview, Norris reflected on the clear differences in mentality and approach between himself and Verstappen, leaving the judgment of which is "good or bad" to others.
- He expressed admiration for specific, unmentioned qualities in Verstappen, stating, "I wish I had a little bit more of that here and there."
- The McLaren driver emphasized his ongoing mission to improve, identifying areas where he is "not at the level I need to be" when fighting the very best.
- Despite this, Norris affirmed confidence in his baseline, calling it "already pretty good," balancing self-criticism with self-assurance.
- The context for these reflections is the incredibly tight 2025 title fight, which Norris sealed with a third-place finish in Abu Dhabi, just two points ahead of Verstappen.
What's next:
Norris's immediate focus shifts firmly to defending his hard-won title. His public introspection suggests his preparation for the 2026 season involves not just physical and technical work, but a deliberate refinement of his competitive mindset. By studying a rival like Verstappen—known for his extreme consistency and relentless race-day pressure—Norris is signaling that the championship battle will be fought on every possible front. His ability to integrate these lessons while maintaining his own distinctive driving style and team leadership will be critical to his title defense.