Lando Norris has been a part of the McLaren Formula 1 team since the start of his F1 career in 2019. However, despite being a key figure in the papaya outfit for several years, he has admitted that he still feels nervous when addressing the team.
In a recent chat with tech influencer Austin Evans, Norris opened up about how representing a legendary team like McLaren, which employs over 1,000 people working tirelessly on the car, can still be daunting at times. His nerves while addressing the team are even more than what he faces before a race begins.
“It’s something that takes time for sure,” Norris shared. “And I probably thought of it more when I just started off in Formula 1 than I do now. Probably the time I get most nervous out of everything I do is when I’m standing in front of the whole team and like I’m having to talk. Oh man, I’m so bad at these things.”
from having the record of being on podium for 15 times without standing on top step to actually getting his very first win, win in Zandvoort with biggest margin, 7 poles for McLaren, WDC contender…I think this has genuinely been such a promising season from Lando Norris pic.twitter.com/IZNPmyfkvq
— Ru thesis year (@heart4ver) November 16, 2024
It’s perhaps a natural feeling for drivers, as they know the team invests countless hours into making the car as competitive as possible. Engineers, designers, and mechanics pour their expertise into every detail, but ultimately it’s the drivers who carry the responsibility of translating that hard work into on-track performance and results.
Norris also touched on the pressure drivers feel when something goes wrong, like a crash or mechanical damage. It’s not just the loss of performance—it’s knowing that the work of so many people has been wasted in some sense.
