The former Ferrari driver spoke about the new world champion, highlighting a quality rarely seen in recent years. According to the German, Lando Norris has overcome past taboos and become a role model for anyone who has faced similar struggles in life.
Lando Norris’ title win raised some eyebrows among Formula 1 fans. Why? Because he is not a driver like Max Verstappen. It is true that the extraordinary comeback by the four-time world champion established him among the sport’s all-time greats, and it also overshadowed Lando Norris’ first world title.
Many felt the Englishman did not fully deserve this championship due to aspects of his personality that did not resonate with fans accustomed to very different drivers. After all, the last two world champions were Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, both with very distinct personalities compared to the McLaren driver.
Furthermore, Norris has frequently admitted in interviews that he struggled with self-confidence and insecurities that sometimes affected his performance on track. As a result, not everyone appreciated his approach.
In this context, Sebastian Vettel defended the world champion, praising his courage to be open with the public and emphasizing that even drivers are allowed to have insecurities—they are not aliens.
Sebastian Vettel impressed by Norris’ mentality: “No one would have talked about this before”
The former Red Bull and Ferrari driver, known in the latter years of his career for championing social causes important to younger generations, emphasized the significance of mental health—a subject long shrouded in taboos. Sebastian Vettel recalled that during his racing years, discussing such matters was taboo.
“No one ever addressed this topic. Everyone had the image of drivers as machines, precise, never making mistakes, never showing weakness. In sport, you are often told not to show your weaknesses because you don’t want your opponent to know them.”
“For me, that’s all nonsense,” Sebastian Vettel added sharply. “I think everyone has problems to deal with, and it’s amazing to see Lando as a reference figure both inside and outside F1. That’s why he is so popular. Some think exposing this side makes him weaker. I don’t agree,” Sebastian Vettel admitted to the Beyond The Grid podcast.
Certainly, winning the recent championship silenced many critics who challenged him throughout the season. This achievement should also be a starting point for a new version of Norris. From now on, even in his toughest moments, Lando can remember this year. With the right technical and mental preparation, and by surrounding himself with the right people, he has entered F1 history, proving that it is possible to win with a more sensitive character.
Leave a Reply