Norris on learning from Verstappen's champion mentality

Even as the reigning champion, Lando Norris admits he still looks to his rival Max Verstappen for inspiration, pinpointing the Dutchman's mentality as a key area for his own growth. The McLaren driver, who clinched the 2025 title by a mere two points, believes achieving "close to perfection" is essential when battling at the front.

Why it matters:

A champion openly analyzing the strengths of his fiercest competitor reveals the relentless pursuit of improvement that defines top-tier Formula 1 drivers. Norris's introspection highlights that winning a title doesn't equate to a finished product, setting the stage for an intriguing psychological duel in the 2026 season as he aims to defend his crown.

The details:

• In a pre-season interview, Norris acknowledged a clear difference in approach between himself and the three-time champion, stating his mentality is "different compared to, say, what Max has."
• He expressed admiration for Verstappen's qualities, noting, "There are a lot of things that I still admire about Max, and I wish I had a little bit more of that here and there."
• The core of his reflection centers on the need for near-flawless execution, emphasizing that when fighting the best, "you need to be close to perfection."
• Despite this, Norris maintains confidence in his current level, concluding, "the baseline level of where I’m at now is already pretty good."

What's next:

Norris's immediate focus is squarely on defending his hard-won title with McLaren. His public analysis of Verstappen's attributes suggests a driver meticulously refining his toolkit, not just his car. This mindset, combined with McLaren's continued development, will be critical as he faces a motivated Verstappen and a resurgent George Russell—whom Norris has tipped as a future champion—in the upcoming season.