You can win while being a “nice guy”: Sebastian Vettel defends Lando Norris, who wants to win in F1 without a “killer instinct.”
There’s no need to be “mean”: Sebastian Vettel supports Lando Norris and the good guys of F1. The McLaren driver, in a recent interview, said he doesn’t possess that “killer instinct” that distinguishes other champions. His goal is to win, but without any kind of unfairness. These statements, especially given his current lackluster form, triggered fierce social media criticism.
The history of Formula 1 is built on great rivalries between its stars—drivers with formidable skills, who battled fiercely on track and sometimes chose to ignore each other outside the cockpit. Friendships were never absent, but it’s undeniable that in recent times, relationships within the paddock have become much more relaxed, to the point where intense arguments now come as a surprise.
The younger generation tends to be more friendly, and some, like Lando Norris, say they’re not ready to sacrifice mutual respect for the sake of a world title. The Brit wants to win, he stressed, but not at the cost of ruining his relationships with other drivers. A “killer instinct” often associated, instead, with Max Verstappen, far more aggressive and ruthless behind the wheel.
Vettel: “It’s good that F1 drivers show their insecurities”
The McLaren driver’s words sparked some ridicule on social media, especially in light of his recent mistakes on track. But stepping in to defend him is Sebastian Vettel: “If you go back one, two, three generations, talking about your emotions was a weakness,” the German told Sky Sports. “It was a weakness to hang out with your rivals after the race, because they’re your rivals.”
“I want to beat that guy and push him off track—why should I go out to dinner with him? I think we’ve made a lot of progress. We should celebrate the fact that [drivers] get along, that they come together. On track there’s still rivalry—they still want to beat each other, 100%—but they also have the courage to talk about their emotions, their weaknesses, the fact they can feel lost, and the pressure they feel.”
“I think it’s fantastic and inspiring for young kids to do the same. Isn’t that healthy? Now, because Lando Norris is doing it, or Lewis is starting to do it, or Novak Djokovic is doing it in another sport, or people in business are starting to open up, it’s becoming easier to talk about your problems—and often solve them before they get serious. I think it’s a big step forward.”
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