Lando Norris embraces calm amidst F1 title expectations
Lando Norris Confident Before Monaco GP, Hungry for First Win and Championship Glory
MONACO — Under the bright Mediterranean sun on a shimmering 72-meter superyacht, Lando Norris is a picture of poise ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix. The Coral Ocean, a luxurious floating mansion that commands an eye-watering $735,000 per week to charter, sits anchored at Port Hercules’ prestigious T-Jetty. Around him, yacht guests sip champagne while cheering his name—a moment that captures the glamor and pressure of life in Formula 1.
The occasion? A livery reveal for McLaren and its sponsor OKX, introducing a retro-inspired design for their cars over the next two races. With teammate Oscar Piastri by his side, Norris pulls back the black satin cover to unveil the refreshed papaya-orange look. It's another extravagant day in the life of the 25-year-old driver, now in his seventh season in the sport.
“I've not done a livery reveal like this before,” Norris tells ESPN. “I think it's a bit weird, isn't it? But it's cool. It's different. If you asked me back when I was a kid, 'Is this what you dream of?' Well, I don't think I would have said yes because I don't think I would ever have dreamt of this."
A Monaco Resident Still Tethered to His UK Roots
Although Norris has called Monaco home since 2022, its opulence still feels foreign to the British driver, whose roots remain firmly planted in the United Kingdom.
“I still find it weird calling it home,” he admits. “I think everyone will always, and I'll always, know deep down my home is in the UK. It’s nice here, it’s a beautiful place, but deep down I always know that London is what I love the most.”
Mounting Championship Expectations
While Monaco's iconic streets have yet to see Norris on the top step of the podium, there’s mounting belief that this year could deliver that breakthrough. With McLaren roaring into the 2025 season as the team to beat and with Norris installed as the preseason betting favorite for the drivers' championship, the moment appears ripe for the young Briton.
Reflecting on last year’s near miss—losing the title to Max Verstappen with two races to go—Norris exudes a quiet confidence about his championship chances in 2025. Despite external expectations, he remains resolute in his focus.
“I honestly don't think of it until people bring it up,” he says with a smile. “It's just never my first thought... But when you kind of get reminded or you think about these things, it’s a good boost. You think, 'Well, this is an opportunity for me to be a world champion,' and that's something that not many people ever get to say."
Consistency Under Scrutiny
While his raw speed is undeniable, one win in the season’s first seven races has sparked scrutiny of his consistency, especially with Piastri leading their intra-team battle with four wins to Norris’ one. After defending champion Verstappen claimed victories in Japan and Imola, a multi-front fight for the title is emerging.
Even with Piastri’s 13-point advantage following his Saudi Arabian win, Norris isn’t panicking. Instead, he’s laser-focused on the long-term strategy that defines championships.
“I know I'm fighting for a championship, and therefore, every now and then you maybe have to make a slightly different decision,” he says. “A championship is... about who wins [with the most points] at the end. It's not who can win the most races. It’s not who can be the fastest every weekend. None of that matters."
Norris On the Psychological Game
Perhaps more than any driver on the F1 grid, Norris openly discusses the mental challenges of competing at this level. After a self-described "f---ing idiot" moment in qualifying at Saudi Arabia, Norris reaffirmed the importance of mindset—both during mistakes and triumphs.
To that end, the Briton credits his work with a sports psychologist for helping him navigate the pressures and self-doubt that have followed him since his 2019 rookie season.
“It’s just making sure I’m thinking of the right things,” he says. “I don’t reassure myself probably enough... But driving is not literally just about driving the car the quickest. There’s a lot of different factors that come into it, especially in a season-long thing."
For Norris, mental preparation is as crucial as his time on the track. “Some people are better than others, naturally or not naturally,” he explains. “Even though I’ve had great weekends and things, there’s always stuff I feel like I can improve—both on the track and off the track. It’s a human performance, not just a car performance. You need both."
Unrelenting Confidence
Despite being outqualified 6-3 by Piastri this year and trailing on race victories, Norris' self-belief remains unshaken.
“I think at the end of the day, now more than ever... I’ve never had more confidence in myself, more confidence in my own ability, more confidence that I can go out and win,” he declares.
It’s this unrelenting confidence, even in the face of adversity, that Norris believes will be the key to taking that next step in his career—and possibly the title.
“I’m not satisfied unless I do the job that I think I can do, which is to win,” Norris says. “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. If we can work on each other and the team helps me and I help them, then that’s all I really care about."
For Lando Norris, the goal is clear, and his approach is sharper than ever. With the long game in mind and a title to chase, the Briton seems ready to convert his potential into something tangible. As the streets of Monaco prepare to host drivers this weekend, Norris won’t just be hunting for his first win here—he’ll be chasing the ultimate goal: world champion.
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