Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel praised Lando Norris as a “true role model” this Tuesday, highlighting that the Formula 1 leader’s open self-criticism is a strength, not a weakness.
Norris, McLaren driver, leads his Australian teammate Oscar Piastri by three points, ahead of the fifth race of the season in Saudi Arabia.
Norris, after a complicated weekend in Bahrain, took responsibility for his mistakes, instead of blaming the team.
The British driver admitted to feeling “disoriented” in qualifying, having made too many mistakes during the race (including a false start from sixth position and finishing third) and not feeling comfortable with the car.
Traditionally, in Formula 1, this type of vulnerability used to be hidden, for fear that rivals would use it as a psychological weapon. However, Vettel, who retired in 2022, pointed out that Norris represents a new attitude.
I think it’s a positive development because we are normal people. We have normal problems like everyone else. Heroism is fine, but it’s also part of heroism to talk about your problems and your weaknesses. I think it’s a great development to see it and witness it, and, you know, true role models.
Sebastian Vettel
Vettel recalled that, as a child, he was taught not to show weakness or to cry, while Norris demonstrates that it’s okay to be more open.
“I don’t think it’s a sign of weakness. It may be criticized by some people, but if you look at the bigger picture, I think it’s just progress,” Vettel added.
Vettel doubts that the rivalry between Norris and Piastri, whose manager is Mark Webber, former teammate and rival of Vettel, will reach the intensity of his first title battle in 2010.
“I would still put Lando as an indirect favorite, but time will tell,” he commented.
“Naturally, people are always looking for entertainment, which is fine and part of the sport, but I don’t see those two having a really intense and tough association. I think they will get along and I think Andrea Stella (team principal) is also in a position to manage them well.”
“I think rivalries nowadays are different. I think we had respect and I think this generation respects each other. But I think they have progressed and manage it better than we did to differentiate what happens on the court and what happens off it.”
Vettel also expressed his support for Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, although he does not see him as the favorite to win the eighth world championship he is seeking.
Likewise, it does not rule out the possibilities of Max Verstappen obtaining his fifth consecutive title, despite Red Bull’s current problems.
Verstappen finished sixth in Bahrain, a week after winning in Japan, generating concern in the team, although he is still eight points behind the leader after four races.
“Obviously, Red Bull is not very strong now, but if you go back a year, Red Bull started very strong and was not so strong at the end and still won (the drivers’ title). So I think, you know, of course, that can change. It’s not so easy to fix, but overall I think they know what they are doing. It is very likely or very possible that Red Bull can turn it around.”
