615 replies to this topic

[Albertino]

There's nothing abnormal in his interview so let's hang on his every word and pick it apart.

 

There are way too many interviews each weekend. Then at the slightest difference in tone you pick it apart and we end up looking like a tabloid. 

[renzmann]

Ridiculous assessment.

Note to self: Never write anything about Lando that is remotely critical of him, even if it's me expressing genuine worries about him.

 

Seriously though. The only thing that's ridiculous here is that in 2025, it apparently is a taboo to speak about this stuff, especially with all the red flags Norris is showing. Of all F1 drivers, Norris should be the happiest. Yet he comes off as deeply troubled from time to time, and rarely does he give the impression that he likes his job. His current demeanor is quite shockingly different from his first years in F1. Remember his hilarious fits of laughter?

 

Anyway, it just concerns me is all. Hope I'm wrong, because I don't wish mental health issues on anyone, especially not on a likeable person like Norris.

[vlado]

who's gonna make the 1 stop work?

[gillesfan76]

I anticipated answers like this, and maybe I am seeing things that aren't there, or maybe I'm armchair analyzing things too much. Fine.

 

Look, I'm a Verstappen fan boy and I like to poke at Norris when he has his typical little moments in the race. Then, you'll see me write the obvious "He's not ready for the WDC" stuff. This interview was different for me though. Those answers were plaine unhealthy. The readyness to do penance, openly talking about mental blocks, totally exaggerating his own faults, the emptyness of his expression, etc., those are all red flags. And it's not the first time. Also, we know he reads social media stuff, comments on people attacking him online even. So seeing him in that state... I don't know, it's a very ugly part of sports I guess. I can barely watch stuff like that. I think he needs (better) help and/or a few weeks off, because whatever is haunting him, it won't go away with a few wins (and I think those wins will come soon).

 

Look, he hasn’t yet physically shoved another driver in the chest, threatened to put a driver upside down into the wall, threatened to headbutt a journalist, brake tested another driver at 2.4 G during a race, or tried to drive them off the road multiple times. As long as he’s not cracking so badly that it manifests into dangerous actions on track, I think he (and the other drivers) will be just fine.

[Albertino]

Note to self: Never write anything about Lando that is remotely critical of him, even if it's me expressing genuine worries about him.

 

Seriously though. The only thing that's ridiculous here is that in 2025, it apparently is a taboo to speak about this stuff, especially with all the red flags Norris is showing. Of all F1 drivers, Norris should be the happiest. Yet he comes off as deeply troubled from time to time, and rarely does he give the impression that he likes his job. His current demeanor is quite shockingly different from his first years in F1. Remember his hilarious fits of laughter?

 

Anyway, it just concerns me is all. Hope I'm wrong, because I don't wish mental health issues on anyone, especially not on a likeable person like Norris.

 

You can write whatever you like...it's a forum, people will either agree, disagree or ignore it. I'm in the Norris may not be it camp as well, but i'm not writing a deep psychological analysis either lol. 

[vlado]

Oscar Piastri on the MCL39:

"I'm not shying away from the fact we have the best car at the moment.

 

"To say otherwise, is not correct."

 

 

[KWSN - DSM]

who's gonna make the 1 stop work?

 

I don't think anyone will, I doubt anyone will complete the race on only 1 stop - But safetycars can change that if timed accordingly.

[hollowstar]

Note to self: Never write anything about Lando that is remotely critical of him, even if it's me expressing genuine worries about him.

Seriously though. The only thing that's ridiculous here is that in 2025, it apparently is a taboo to speak about this stuff, especially with all the red flags Norris is showing. Of all F1 drivers, Norris should be the happiest. Yet he comes off as deeply troubled from time to time, and rarely does he give the impression that he likes his job. His current demeanor is quite shockingly different from his first years in F1. Remember his hilarious fits of laughter?

Anyway, it just concerns me is all. Hope I'm wrong, because I don't wish mental health issues on anyone, especially not on a likeable person like Norris.

This.

Yes, Norris has always been like this, excessively downbeat and harsh on himself.

He has to be able to overcome these losses to his teammate or disappointing sessions in a healthier way. It's worrying that we've all seen this aspect of him years ago, and he still hasn't addressed it.

Hire a sport psychologist if you need, there's nothing wrong about that.

[renzmann]

Look, he hasn’t yet physically shoved another driver in the chest, threatened to put a driver upside down into the wall, threatened to headbutt a journalist, brake tested another driver at 2.4 G during a race, or tried to drive them off the road multiple times. As long as he’s not cracking so badly that it manifests into dangerous actions on track, I think he (and the other drivers) will be just fine.

I don't know how many times I have to stress this is not about being critical of him. It's quite poor to portray my concerns as some Verstappen fan being a Verstappen fan, who should be treated with some good old whataboutism.

 

For the record, I do agree with all instances you come up with here, except for the headbutt thing which has always been blown out of proportion IMO.

[smr]

There's nothing wrong with Lando at all. A lot of what he says when he's downbeat like that is to alleviate the pressure off of himself and it works. 

 

If he hopped out of the car and said "well that's the best I can do" then he's putting pressure on himself and all of his competitors will use that against him too.

 

If he hops out and says "I haven't got a clue how to drive an F1 car" we know that's not true, he knows it isn't true. But it takes the pressure off of himself because now no one is expecting him to perform well because he's just said he hasn't got a clue how to drive. 

It's actually an intelligent way of playing the media and his competitors and I'm quite surprised no one else can seemingly see that.

[Albertino]

How do we rate Russell's chances today? Does the Merc have the race pace?

[renzmann]

There's nothing wrong with Lando at all. A lot of what he says when he's downbeat like that is to alleviate the pressure off of himself and it works. 

 

If he hopped out of the car and said "well that's the best I can do" then he's putting pressure on himself and all of his competitors will use that against him too.

 

If he hops out and says "I haven't got a clue how to drive an F1 car" we know that's not true, he knows it isn't true. But it takes the pressure off of himself because now no one is expecting him to perform well because he's just said he hasn't got a clue how to drive. 

It's actually an intelligent way of playing the media and his competitors and I'm quite surprised no one else can seemingly see that.

Sure, this is possible as well (well, the last sentence is quite rich...). I hope you're right

 

Honest question though: If a good friend of yours showed behavior like Norris, you wouldn't have a serious talk with him? I would.

[hollowstar]

There's nothing wrong with Lando at all. A lot of what he says when he's downbeat like that is to alleviate the pressure off of himself and it works.

If he hopped out of the car and said "well that's the best I can do" then he's putting pressure on himself and all of his competitors will use that against him too.

If he hops out and says "I haven't got a clue how to drive an F1 car" we know that's not true, he knows it isn't true. But it takes the pressure off of himself because now no one is expecting him to perform well because he's just said he hasn't got a clue how to drive.

It's actually an intelligent way of playing the media and his competitors and I'm quite surprised no one else can seemingly see that.

It's not just what he says..it's the way he says it. The tears in his eyes and his overall attitude and body language. He's not faking that.

[SamH123]

I'm on the side of nothing wrong with Lando

Do some of you not play sports

Why are you expecting him to be happy after losing

[MKSixer]

There was pressure at Abu Dhabi last year when the constructors title was in the balance and could have been lost. It wasn't Oscar who delivered.

That was then. This is now. Norris didn't deliver yesterday and Oscar did. We shall see what the future holds but I stand by my assertion that Oscar will deliver the WDC to Macca before Lando. Cheers!!

[PayasYouRace]

Race thread: https://forums.autos...25-race-thread/