In the run-up to the Monaco Grand Prix, Lando Norris was on the main deck of a luxurious 72-meter yacht, the Coral Ocean. This yacht, costing $735,000 per week, was docked in Port Hercules, reserved for the most exclusive vessels during the race weekend.
While the Mediterranean sun shone, the guests aboard an adjacent yacht chanted Norris’s name, who responded with a smile and a wave, before focusing on his promotional activities.
McLaren’s sponsor, OKX, had summoned Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri to present a new retro-inspired livery for their cars, which will be used in the next two races. A group of influencers documented the moment when the new image was revealed, a reinterpretation of McLaren’s characteristic papaya color.
In his seventh year as a Formula 1 driver, Norris is still surprised by the situations he finds himself in.
“I’ve never done a livery presentation like this before. It’s a bit strange, isn’t it? But it’s cool. It’s different. If you’d asked me 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 have dreamed of this”
Lando Norris
Although he is now a 25-year-old billionaire and owner of an apartment near the Hercules port of Monaco since 2022, Norris still feels that he lives in an unusual environment.
“It still feels strange to call it home, but it’s where I live most of the time. I think everyone always, and I always, will know deep down that my home is in the UK.”
Lando Norris
One of the experiences Norris has yet to have is standing on the top step of the Formula 1 podium at the famous Monaco Grand Prix. However, this year seems to be his best opportunity, after McLaren started the season with the fastest car and Norris became the betting favorite for the drivers’ championship during the preseason.
After a season in which Max Verstappen snatched the title, 2025 presents itself as the opportunity Norris has been waiting for.
“Honestly, I don’t think about it until people mention it. It’s not a bad thing, you know, because it’s good to be reminded sometimes. It’s never my first thought, it’s never a thought that I bring with me to face a weekend, you know? And it’s a positive thing, it’s good to know that’s what everyone expects, and that’s the case for me.”
Lando Norris
Even though the season is only seven races in, Norris’ performance has already been the subject of analysis. While Piastri has achieved four victories, leading the standings, Norris has only won once this year, at the Australian Grand Prix.
Verstappen has also joined the fight for the title with victories in Japan and Imola, which means Norris is competing for his first championship on at least two fronts.
However, Norris, who finished second in Imola, closing in on Piastri at the top of the standings by 13 points, is not obsessed with the number of victories of his rivals. His focus is on the long term, making the right decisions at high speeds to avoid problems.
“I know I’m fighting for a championship and, therefore, from time to time I may have to make a slightly different decision. I don’t think I’ve been too conservative, and I’ve never been too aggressive. And maybe sometimes, I need to be able to lean on one more than I currently do, but a championship is also simply who wins [with the most points] at the end.”
Lando Norris
Norris is open about his difficulties on the track. After a crash in qualifying in Saudi Arabia, he called himself an “idiot” on the radio, and then admitted to agreeing with his self-assessment. To be in the right mindset for the demands of F1, Norris has worked with a sports psychologist for several years, a part of his preparation that he considers invaluable.
“I simply make sure I’m thinking about the right things. I don’t tell myself the wrong things. I do it from time to time. I don’t make sure enough, probably, as I should. I think I’m always working on different things. Because driving is not literally, if you just drive the car as fast as possible, there are many different factors involved. Especially when it’s something that lasts all season, it’s not just about a weekend.”
Lando Norris
Norris is convinced that he can still improve his performance by talking about it.
“Some people are better than others, naturally or not. Although I’ve had great weekends and things, there are always things I feel I can improve on, both on and off the track. I’m dealing with things better and approaching things with a better mindset. It’s just performance, in general. It’s human performance, it’s not just about the car’s performance. I think in all sports, you need both. You need to have performance in whatever you do, but you also need to have the right mindset for things. I know mine isn’t always perfect, and there’s room for me to improve on those things, but there are many different aspects. Sometimes it’s good to have someone to talk to.”
Lando Norris
For a driver who admitted to a lack of confidence in his debut season in 2019, Norris has progressed a lot. Despite being outqualified 6-3 by Piastri this year and being 4-1 behind in race wins, Norris, who is often brutally honest about these issues, claims that his confidence remains very high.
“I think at the end of the day, now more than ever, even though I might still be disappointed or not satisfied with things, I think deep down I’ve never been more confident in myself, more confident in my own ability, more confident that I can go out and win than I have been before. And that’s even with some of my performances that I’ve had, with some of the difficulties in different areas. But I still feel better than ever. It’s just that some of my performances haven’t been the best I’ve had.”
Lando Norris
Although some see Norris talking about his weaknesses as a weakness in itself, he says it’s simply his process for finding improvements. He knows his results must improve to win the title, and he is convinced that he can take the necessary step during the rest of the season to achieve it.
“I am not satisfied unless I do the job that I believe I can do, which is to win. And therefore, I will be harder on myself, I will be harder on the team when necessary, because I believe that’s how we improve. And we know that as a team, and that’s all that really matters to me. I don’t care what other people’s perception is or their thoughts on those moments. I know what’s best for me and what’s best for the team, and we help each other get the best out of each other.”
Lando Norris
