Criticized for showing vulnerability, Lando Norris proves that—even today—it takes more courage to admit weakness than to appear invincible.
“I’m not fast enough—it felt like I’d never driven a Formula 1 car before.”. That’s how Lando Norris described his performance after qualifying in Bahrain. Harsh words—perhaps sharpened by adrenaline—but directed solely at himself, never at a fellow driver. The public’s reaction, however, wasn’t long in coming: “Loser mentality,” “You don’t win races saying things like that,” “He’s already given up.”
Norris isn’t the first driver to criticize himself on live broadcast. We all remember Charles Leclerc’s team radio after his qualifying crash in Baku in 2019—that “I am stupid” moment that both his fans and Leclerc himself later turned into a meme. And just last week at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton also admitted he hadn’t done a good job after qualifying ninth, apologizing to the entire team and to the fans for letting them down.
Norris, however, is the first driver to be treated this way. Just because—say—his teammate Oscar Piastri has never expressed himself like that, he’s seen as having the makings of a champion, while Norris is labeled a loser. The sad truth that emerges from all this is that men who show their emotions are still—unfortunately—seen as weak. They’re expected to always act tough, swallow their feelings, and move on. But that’s not how it works.
Lando wants to be that too—but he can’t quite pull it off. Instead, he lets his emotions do the talking: when he’s happy, he feels on top of the world; when he’s not, he feels like the smallest of the small. But aren’t we all a bit like that, deep down? So why is he being criticized this way, then?
Fortunately, several champions and drivers from the past are supporting Norris. During qualifying in Bahrain, David Coulthard (13 Formula 1 wins) explained that even he used to have weekends where he felt like he didn’t know how to drive, for no apparent reason. It happens—nothing is lost forever.
Ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel also joined the chorus. The four-time world champion explained why he sees Norris as a role model, precisely because he shows his vulnerability. “We’re normal people with normal problems, just like everyone else,” said the former Aston Martin driver to Reuters. “Playing the hero is great, but a hero is also someone who talks about their problems and weaknesses.”
“Don’t we all have good days and bad days? People are commenting on his situation [Norris’s] interpreting it as a sign of weakness, finding something wrong with it. There’s nothing wrong with him.” “Having doubts is the most natural thing in the world, but it’s also the least natural thing to talk about, and that’s what’s wrong.” “Lando is brave to talk about this side of himself; I hope the media spin it in a positive light.”.
Sometimes, you don’t need to be the fastest to prove you have what it takes. Sometimes, true courage isn’t about crossing the finish line first, but about baring yourself in front of the entire world, unafraid of seeming human. And if Lando Norris falls and gets back up with sincerity today, then he’s already racing a race that’s worth far more than a win.
Photo: McLaren on X, Formula 1 Media