Sebastian Vettel, a four-time Formula 1 world champion, has praised McLaren driver Lando Norris for being brave in openly discussing his emotions, suggesting that this honesty will serve as an inspiration for younger generations.
Norris`s candid approach with the media in recent seasons has generated debate. Some commentators believe that revealing his vulnerabilities is a sign of weakness that could benefit his competitors.
However, Vettel, who retired in 2022 after securing four consecutive championships with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013, has spoken out in defense of the young British driver.
Speaking in Saudi Arabia ahead of the recent Grand Prix, Vettel observed that everyone experiences good and bad times, whether they are F1 drivers or in a regular job. He highlighted the potential for others to misinterpret someone discussing their struggles as weakness, asking, “Why is he doing that? What`s going on with him? What`s wrong with him?”
Vettel asserted that nothing is inherently wrong with someone experiencing difficult phases in life. He described self-doubt as a perfectly natural feeling, contrasting this with the “unnatural” societal tendency to avoid talking about it. He firmly stated that Norris`s decision to open up is “completely fine” and “very courageous,” expressing a wish that the media would portray this aspect positively.
Inspiring Young People Through Openness
Vettel believes Lando Norris`s willingness to share his experiences will encourage young people. Following his first F1 victories last season and increased attention, Norris has faced pressure and inconsistency. Vettel sees his openness as a valuable example.
Norris has frequently spoken about managing pressure, previously mentioning that he sometimes struggles to eat on race days due to anxiety.
Vettel regards Norris as a leading figure in a new generation of drivers who are more comfortable discussing their feelings. He also mentioned his former rival, Lewis Hamilton, as another positive role model in this regard.
Vettel contrasted this openness with past eras of racing, where showing emotion was widely seen as a weakness. He recalled an older mindset where socializing with rivals was avoided to maintain a tough image, questioning whether that perception of “making you soft” was accurate. He feels the current generation has progressed significantly and should be celebrated for getting along while maintaining intense on-track rivalry. He stressed their courage to talk about emotions, weaknesses, feelings of being lost, and the pressure they endure.
He called this shift “great” and “healthy,” emphasizing its potential to inspire young children not to suppress their feelings. He noted that seeing public figures across different fields, such as Norris, Hamilton, or even Novak Djokovic in tennis, being open encourages others to feel more free to discuss their issues, potentially solving problems before they escalate. Vettel concluded this is “a great progression.”
Vettel`s Experience with Schumacher`s Self-Doubt
Vettel also shared a significant personal moment from his career: learning that his childhood idol, seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, experienced self-doubt. Schumacher, who acted as a mentor to Vettel early in his F1 career (when Vettel arrived in 2007 after Schumacher had initially retired), confided in him about his own struggles.
Vettel used this experience to reinforce his defense of Norris, presenting two possible reactions to a driver showing vulnerability. The “old road” involves dismissal (“weak,” “wrong,” “getting soft,” “can`t cope,” “not good enough”). The “new road,” he argued, involves appreciating the honesty and recognizing that past legends like Schumacher or Mika Hakkinen likely faced similar internal challenges.
He described the immense relief he felt knowing that his hero experienced self-doubt, stating, “It made a lot of pressure go away when I knew that my hero went through the same things.” He believes there is “a lot of inspiration” to be gained from such shared vulnerability.
Marcus Prine