Norris urged to call in heavy hitters Vettel and Rosberg amid F1 title doubts

Norris Urged to Seek Help from Vettel, Rosberg Amid Title Doubts

Lando Norris, described as "mentally weak" and "too emotional," is being advised to seek guidance from former F1 champions like Sebastian Vettel or Nico Rosberg to bolster his mental game in the chase for his first F1 World Championship.

Can Lando Norris Fight Back Against Oscar Piastri?

While Norris was initially seen as the favorite for the F1 2025 title, his teammate Oscar Piastri has emerged as a strong contender. Piastri has secured four wins in six races, leading Norris by 16 points in the standings. Max Verstappen has praised Piastri's calm and consistent approach, noting his ability to deliver under pressure and minimize mistakes.

In contrast, Australian F1 champion Alan Jones views Norris as "quite a weak person," citing Norris's open criticism of his own errors and dwelling on negatives rather than positives.

This situation raises questions about which McLaren driver is the true title favorite and whether McLaren will need to back one driver soon.

Dutch journalist Peter Hardenacke suggested on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast that Norris could benefit from bringing in someone experienced, like Vettel or Rosberg, who understands the mental battles of a championship fight. Norris's performance fluctuates, showing highs and lows within a single race weekend.

Former F1 driver Timo Glock agreed that an ex-racer's perspective could help. However, he noted that Norris seems to overthink decisions on track, lacking the instinctiveness that Piastri appears to have. Glock feels Norris is a "bit lost with himself" but believes talking to someone who has been through similar situations could be an option.

While Piastri has the support of former F1 driver Mark Webber as his manager, Norris lacks similar backstage guidance from ex-drivers.

Nico Rosberg, who worked with psychologists during his title-winning season against Lewis Hamilton, has previously offered to help Norris with his mental health struggles. Rosberg observed that Norris can fall into a spiral of self-criticism, repeatedly stating he's not good enough. Rosberg stressed the importance of controlling negative self-talk, as repetition can lead to believing these statements. His intensive work with psychologists was a crucial factor in his championship success.

Rosberg advised Norris to avoid repeating negative phrases like "I'm not good enough and I'm making too many mistakes" throughout a weekend.