Driving for McLaren in his rookie year in 2019, Lando Norris received a special gift from the team after completing five races with them. The gift was a $188,000 McLaren 570S, which replaced his Volkswagen Polo. However, the British driver revealed in his biography that he only drove it for a few miles as he was worried about losing his job.
Having debuted as a 19-year-old, Norris did not have the best time, personally. The driver admitted to battling mental health issues throughout the season, as he was often depressed and worried about his future in the sport. However, the Bristol-born star pulled through and became a popular figure both on and off the track.
The anxiety experienced by Norris had a hold of him even away from the track as it affected his behavior in real life. It went to the extent that the driver could not even enjoy his first-ever supercar.
Lando Norris had a hard time trying to enjoy his McLaren supercar
In his biography, Lando Norris talks about how difficult his F1 rookie year was. Apart from facing high expectations from people around him, the Briton had to deal with mental health issues that extended beyond the confines of the F1 realm. The roots extended so far beyond that a 19-year-old could not even enjoy his time in a gifted McLaren 570S.
“I haven’t driven it that much. Instead of going to get food from a local shop, which is a ten-second walk outside my door, I went to a supermarket, which is a couple of miles away. I made the effort to have a drive, which was quite nice. I had the roof down and had a nice drive. I didn’t drive it that much, and I didn’t drive it fast. I’ve got a job to keep, so I can’t be that stupid.”
Norris not being able to enjoy his car was a result of severe anxiety arising from his mental health issues. As a 19-year-old, the British driver experienced a level of stress few might have experienced, but with the eyes of the entire world on him, there was a lot riding on the young driver’s shoulders.
Norris has been an advocate for mental health issues among the F1 drivers
Norris first opened up about his struggles in 2020, when he made several appearances on different TV shows. During one such appearance, the Briton said he did not “need to” open up about his emotions but “chose to” speak up. He has since become a prominent figure to talk about the issues prevalent within the realm of F1, which people often look at as taboo. GP Fans reported Norris once revealed several people had come up to him and admitted he had helped save their lives. “That hits you pretty hard,” said a 20-year-old Norris.
Four years since his debut, Norris finds himself as one of the most secure drivers on the grid. Not only is he a much more experienced driver, but he is also the senior driver in his team, with Oscar Piastri as his teammate. The 23-year-old has shown immense maturity and is currently one of the hottest properties on the grid.
