Lando Norris: confidence at an all-time high despite early season struggles

Lando Norris Embarks on Monaco GP with Unwavering Confidence

MONACO — McLaren's Lando Norris heads into the iconic Monaco Grand Prix with unwavering self-belief, despite encountering challenges in the early stages of the 2023 Formula One season.

Norris opened up about his mental approach to competing at the highest level, his quest for improvement, and his time as a resident of Monaco—a city deeply intertwined with motorsport history.

Currently, Norris finds himself trailing his teammate, rookie sensation Oscar Piastri, by 12 points in the drivers' standings. The 23-year-old is narrowly ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, holding just a nine-point advantage over the defending champion. While Piastri has amassed an impressive tally of three pole positions and four Grand Prix wins thus far, Norris has managed only a single pole position and a victory at the season-opener in Australia. Despite this disparity, the McLaren driver remains resolute in his belief that his abilities have reached an all-time high.

"I think at the end of the day, now more than ever even, though I still might be disappointed or not satisfied with things, I think deep down I've never had more confidence in myself, more confidence in my own ability, more confidence that I can go out and win than I ever have before," Norris said.

Acknowledging Struggles While Finding Growth

Acknowledging the ups and downs of his performances, particularly in qualifying, Norris reflected on his struggles but emphasized the personal growth he feels has come from these challenges.

"And that's even with some of my performances that I've had, with some of the struggles in different areas. But I still feel better than I ever have. It's just some of my performances have not been the best I've ever had," he added.

The disparity in results between Norris and Piastri has sparked discussions about his approach to the title fight. Norris, however, made it clear that his dissatisfaction isn’t rooted in comparisons but in his drive to unlock the full potential of himself and his team.

Focus on Teamwork and Improvement

"I'm not satisfied unless I do the job that I think I can do, which is to win," Norris explained. "And therefore I'll be tougher on myself, I'll be tougher on the team when it's necessary, because I think that's how we improve.

"And we know that as a team, and that's all that matters. Because if we can work on each other, and the team helps me and I help them, then that's all I really care about."

"I don't care what other people's perception is or thoughts are about those moments," he continued. "I know what's best for me and what's best for the team, and we help one another to get the most out of each other."

Pressure and Grit Ahead of Monaco GP

As the Monaco Grand Prix approaches—a race renowned for testing the grit and precision of Formula One drivers—Norris’s steadfast confidence will undoubtedly be under the spotlight. While the results haven’t yet mirrored his confidence, his determination and focus could prove critical as he seeks to turn the tide in his battle against Piastri and the rest of the field.

For Norris and McLaren, the objective is clear: continue working together as a unit to extract maximum performance from both the car and driver. Whether the streets of Monaco will deliver a breakthrough for Norris remains to be seen, but one aspect is certain—his belief in himself has never been stronger.

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