Interview Setting and Initial Discussion
Formula One, like life, is filled with complexities and challenges, as reflected in this interview. On a pleasant evening at an upscale golf club in Surrey, the conversation takes place in a modest yet brightly lit room crowded with a television crew, members of Lando Norris's management team, and representatives from Laureus, an international organisation committed to the belief that "sport has the power to change the world."
Initially, Norris speaks thoughtfully and candidly about his struggles with deep insecurity prior to his breakthrough last year. However, the tone shifts when a young member of his management team intervenes to answer questions on behalf of the 26-year-old driver, effectively controlling the direction of the interview.
Laureus Award and Reflections on Achievement
Norris had just been filmed in this room delivering a brief acceptance speech for the Laureus Breakthrough of the Year Award, an honour previously bestowed upon notable athletes such as Rafael Nadal, Lewis Hamilton, Andy Murray, Rory McIlroy, Jude Bellingham, and Lamine Yamal.
Sir Chris Hoy presented the award here because Norris was unable to attend the formal ceremony held in Madrid on Monday night. The trophy rested on the table between us as Norris expressed pride, stating:
"Any opportunity where I go alongside champions from other sports is incredible. I never dreamed of that as a kid. Certain people know when they’re a child they’re going to be a champion. My mindset was never like that. It was never: ‘I’m going to do this.’ It was always: ‘Can I? Am I able to?’ So this is not just a trophy. It’s a realisation that my name is alongside incredible people. It’s like I’m in their world and that’s a beautiful thing."
The Laureus award announcement came as Norris was recovering from a disappointing start to the new Formula One season, where he currently sits in fifth place, 47 points behind the young Mercedes driver, George Russell.
Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions have led to the cancellation of races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. This enforced break, lasting over a month, provides Norris with time to train, rest, and recalibrate.
Insights from Other Sports
Ten days prior, Norris watched the final round of the Masters golf tournament from his sofa, captivated by Rory McIlroy’s dramatic second consecutive victory at Augusta. He admits with characteristic honesty:
"I fell asleep with three holes to go because I had work in the morning. I watched every hour possible until the last hour. Last year we were in Bahrain and we all gathered round watching it."
When asked if he can learn from other sports, Norris responds:
"Yes. There’re always little things from what you see and what you hear people talking about – especially Rory. He’s always quite open about his struggles and things he’s trying when it’s not working out. It means even more when you know the athletes.
"I’ve spoken to Rory a couple of times. I don’t know some of the others, like Justin [Rose], who I wanted to win even more since he was so close last year. For Rosey to be going strong at 45 is pretty awesome. So there are always things you can learn and, when you speak to them, you get to know even more about their mindset."
Norris reveals he consulted with top athletes during difficult times last year:
"There are certain people I spoke to last year, when I was struggling. Top athletes, some of the best in the world, and I spoke to them about my struggles and what they do in those times. How do they block out the noise and be themselves on the tennis court or golf course, or wherever."
He is cautious about naming these individuals:
"I’d rather not say. But they’re incredible people who achieved a lot in different sports and certainly helped me achieve what I did."
Early Season Challenges and Support
When asked about the timing of this support, Norris explains:
"It was more like the start, that minimal part of the season when things weren’t clicking and I wasn’t very comfortable with the car. It was quick and easily good enough to win races. I just couldn’t figure it out on my own. That’s the way I am – I need help from many different people.
"But you’ve then got to go out and do the job yourself. Last year was very special as there are only 35 world champions from Formula One ever. For me to be added to that list is pretty incredible."
Sometimes the reality of his achievement strikes him anew:
"I was away last week, with some friends, and at dinner one of them said: ‘Do you not find it weird that you’re world champion?’ It’s one of those cool realisations again. I also get the reminder every [race] weekend because I’ve got the No 1 on my car."
Norris values the Laureus award also because of the organisation’s work supporting disadvantaged communities through sport:
"When I was younger I never knew I’d have the platform to speak about [mental health]. So to realise the amount I can help other people is special. In the longer term that means more than winning a world championship."
Mental Health and Team Appreciation
The 26-year-old has previously spoken about how impostor syndrome and depression nearly affected him during his debut F1 season in 2019:
"There were lots of doubts: ‘Do I deserve to be here? Why am I not as good as these people?’ You feel you’re wasting people’s time … I struggled a lot."
Even during those vulnerable times, Norris showed empathy for others, ordering 800 personalised water bottles for team employees, regardless of their role:
"That was 2019 and a lot still use their water bottle today. My biggest motivation is always trying to make my team happy, as much as it is to make myself happy and win. There’re certainly drivers that don’t care about it as much but it’s something I’ve always loved.
"I remember in 2018 [as a test driver] I used to help pack the stuff in the evening with the mechanics. They do more hours than anyone, and get up at 4am. A couple of my mechanics now were at one of my first-ever test days [as a teenage simulator driver] … I’ve also been with my engineers since my first [F1] test in Budapest in 2017."
Will Joseph, McLaren’s director of engineering, has commented on Norris’s driving style:
"We often perform at our best when Lando performs at a subconscious level, without having to give the driving much thought."
Norris agrees:
"It’s the dream every weekend to get to that stage. Sometimes it feels impossible."
Monaco Qualifying and Flow State
Norris describes his best example of this flow state as a qualifying lap that moved him to tears:
"That was my Monaco lap. Qualifying was going pretty poorly and I started to question myself. Have I lost that little edge in qualies? It’s always been my biggest strength since I was a kid. Monaco is the hardest, and the one I struggled with since I came into Formula One. You have fear and different challenges. It’s Monaco and an incredibly tricky lap.
"You have to push past that conscious level. You have to get past thinking: ‘I’m going to brake here and do this.’ If you want pole, you’ve got to shut your eyes round the corner and see if you make it to the other side. It was special."
Season Challenges and Regulation Changes
Reflecting on the current season, Norris acknowledges:
"It’s been a difficult start. That’s the price you pay for winning the world championship and throwing all your eggs in one basket. But [now] is a time to work on developments and upgrades without races."
This season, teams have had to design entirely new chassis and engines to comply with revised regulations, with McLaren currently trailing Mercedes significantly. When asked about the prospects for improvement, Norris states:
"It’s very difficult to say because you never know when other people are going to bring upgrades. I’ve given up trying to guess what’s going to happen in Formula One. But we’re confident we can have a much more competitive car over the next month or two."
Restrictions on Discussing Rivalries and Regulations
Earlier in the day, Norris’s management communicated that questions regarding his relationships with Max Verstappen and George Russell, as well as the new F1 regulations, were off limits. Norris has previously expressed concerns about the regulatory changes, describing the new cars as "dangerous" and a regression from "the best cars ever made in Formula One, and the nicest to drive, to probably the worst." Despite this, the interviewer pressed to address the regulation changes.
With ten minutes remaining, a phone placed on the table transmitted a voice from Norris’s manager, insisting no questions on this topic were permitted. When the interviewer emphasized the importance of the issue, a young management team member approached and declared, "We’re done with time."
Asked if he could spare the promised additional ten minutes, Norris appeared embarrassed and replied:
"I’m not the boss."
Although Norris is the world champion, his management team controls the interview. When the interviewer protested, Norris said:
"That’s fine. I’m happy to answer that question."
The representative in the room responded:
"No."
Norris smiled awkwardly and repeated:
"I’m not the boss."
This restriction contrasts with Norris’s typically open nature and McLaren’s usual allowance for uncensored media engagements during race weeks.
Further Attempts to Discuss the Season
The conversation shifted to other topics, including the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, where Norris secured his first F1 victory of 2024. When asked if catching Mercedes this season was feasible, the management representative again interrupted:
"We’re done with time."
When the interviewer questioned why even a mild question could not be addressed, the representative replied:
"No, we’re not answering that."
Even Norris appeared frustrated, turning to the representative and asking:
"Why? Say yes."
Ultimately, Norris answered the question himself:
"Yes [Mercedes] can [be caught] and we’re doing our best to make sure it’ll be us who do that."
The management team responded with laughter. Norris added:
"I’ve no idea. Max can do whatever he likes."
The interviewer noted the apparent contradiction that Norris, an intelligent driver, seemed unable to express similar autonomy. The management representative then interjected humorously, speaking on Norris’s behalf:
"He’s an amazing guy. Max is the best person ever and we love him. Quote."
Closing Reflections
At the conclusion of the interview, the interviewer thanked Norris and shook his hand. After Norris departed, the interviewer addressed the young manager, referencing his own extensive experience interviewing prominent sports figures. He expressed the opinion that the management team was doing Norris a disservice by restricting his openness.
The interviewer offered a handshake and left, reflecting that the regret lay less in the curtailed interview and more in the troubling reality that such an admirable world champion must be so tightly controlled.
