Four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel has praised Lando Norris for his `courageous` honesty regarding his emotions, stating it will `inspire` young people.
Norris`s openness with the media in recent seasons has sparked debate, with some critics suggesting it shows weakness and could be exploited by competitors.
However, Vettel, who secured four consecutive drivers` championships for Red Bull between 2010 and 2013 before retiring in 2022, has publicly supported the British driver.
Speaking before a recent Grand Prix, Vettel commented: “We all have good times and bad times, whether we are Formula 1 drivers or working a regular job. Isn`t that true for everyone? We have better days and worse days.”
He added, “The danger now is that people discuss what he might be going through and interpret it as a sign of weakness. Thinking things like, `Why is he doing that? What`s wrong with him?`”
Vettel countered, “Nothing is wrong with him. I believe everyone experiences similar things at different points in their lives. Self-doubt is completely natural, yet it`s the most unnatural thing to talk about, which is wrong.”
He concluded, “Therefore, I think it`s absolutely fine, and very courageous of him to be so open and discuss this part of himself. I hope the media will report on this and present it in a more positive light.”
Vettel Believes Norris`s Openness Will Inspire Youth
After achieving his first F1 victory earlier this season and with McLaren showing improved form, Norris entered the year facing heightened expectations, seen by many as a contender for the championship.
However, his season has seen mixed results. He faced challenges in extracting peak performance from his McLaren in subsequent races after a strong start. Following a qualifying incident and a fourth-place finish in a recent race, he fell behind his teammate Oscar Piastri in the championship standings for the first time.
Norris has frequently discussed how he copes with the pressures of the sport, for instance, admitting last year that he sometimes struggles to eat on race days.
Vettel highlighted Norris as a positive example for a new generation of drivers who are more open about their emotions, also mentioning his former competitor Lewis Hamilton as another influential figure in this trend.
Vettel contrasted this with previous eras: “Going back a couple of generations, discussing your emotions was seen as a weakness. Being friendly with rivals after the race was also considered weak, like `I want to beat him, why would I socialize? That makes me soft.` Is that really true?”
He continued, “I think the current generation of drivers has made significant progress, and we should celebrate them getting along and connecting.”
Vettel emphasized, “They still maintain intense rivalry on track, absolutely, but they also possess the courage to talk about their feelings, their vulnerabilities, times when they might feel lost, and the pressure they experience.”
He concluded, “I believe this is fantastic and will encourage young children to do the same. It`s healthier when kids don`t feel they must bottle things up and can openly discuss them. Seeing Lando Norris, or Lewis doing it, or even Novak Djokovic in tennis, or people in business starting to open up, makes you feel freer. You can express these feelings and often resolve issues before they even begin. I think that`s tremendous progress.”
Discovering Schumacher`s Self-Doubt
Vettel also shared that learning his childhood hero, seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, also experienced self-doubt was a significant turning point for him personally.
Schumacher had mentored his fellow German driver when Vettel entered Formula 1 in 2007, after Schumacher had initially retired but before his return with Mercedes.
Reflecting on his own experience with Schumacher`s vulnerability, Vettel reiterated his defence of Norris.
He explained, “We can take one of two paths. Either the old path, which says, `Ah, that`s weak, wrong, he`s getting soft, too much pressure, he can`t handle it, he`s not good enough.`”
He contrasted this, “Or there`s the new path, which involves appreciating this openness and perhaps realising that all the heroes of the past, whether it`s Michael [Schumacher], [Mika] Hakkinen, and others before them, faced the same issues, the same thoughts going through their heads.”
Vettel shared, “I spoke with Michael, and I felt a great relief when he admitted he experienced self-doubt. My hero, my champion, the person whose posters were on my childhood walls, had self-doubt.”
He concluded, “Knowing my hero went through the same things lifted a lot of pressure. I think there`s a lot of inspiration to be drawn from that.”
Vettel made these comments while hosting his Race4Women [Challenge Me] event in Saudi Arabia, aimed at promoting female involvement in motorsport within the country.
Wesley Dunham 
Gilbert Pendleton