Lando Norris says winning the Formula 1 world championship has not changed his personality, although achieving his childhood dream has given him greater calm and confidence away from the pressures of the title fight.
The McLaren driver discussed his championship success in an interview with Sky Sports, filmed after he announced a contract extension with the Woking-based team through the end of 2030.
“It hasn’t, which is exactly what I would want,” Norris explained when asked how he thinks winning the championship has changed him. “I don’t want it to change me. I don’t want it to change who I am. I think I just get to go around with a feeling that I’ve accomplished something very few people in the world get to achieve, and I know I’ve achieved my dream as a kid.
“That’s something, again, not many people get to achieve. So I know how lucky I am. I know how fortunate I’ve been to be with McLaren.”
Norris remains focused on the Formula 1 title fight
For the 26-year-old, the biggest change has been in his perspective away from the cockpit rather than in his approach on the track.
“There’s an element of I know that people have high expectations, and I have high expectations for myself, and that’s where everything starts,” he said about the pressure of the current championship campaign.
“But there’s also the element of we had such a tough start to the year. We’ve been very, very unfortunate with a lot of things. We knew we would start on the back foot. [Fighting for the championship] certainly wasn’t the first thought we had. The fact that it’s become a thought is a pretty awesome thing.
“So I’m very relaxed that I’m in the position of being the chaser, of course. But every time I’m on track, I don’t necessarily feel different because of it. Every time I put my helmet on, I still want to win today. I want to be first today. I want to be on pole. And that’s the same mentality that I’ve always had.
“It changes my outlook, especially when I’m out of the car. But I wouldn’t say it changes anything when I’m in it, because when I’m in it, it’s always 100%. It’s always go flat out. It’s always, don’t embarrass yourself. I want to be number one, no matter what situation I’m in.
“So, yeah, certainly just being off track, being more relaxed, being able to work with the team in an even better way than ever, that’s what’s also helping.”
