Lando Norris: Why ‘Doing It My Way’ Might Just Be the Key to His F1 Title Dream

A personal approach in a team-first McLaren culture

Lando Norris is sitting comfortably inside the McLaren Technology Centre, smiling as he often does. It’s the week of the Canadian Grand Prix, but the 25-year-old Briton seems as much at ease as if he were enjoying a coffee with friends. When asked about how he’s handling the intensity of a Formula 1 title challenge, his response is refreshingly unguarded: “I want to do it my way.”

That sentiment encapsulates not just his approach to racing in 2025, but the larger journey he’s navigating in one of the most competitive seasons of his career. Norris is currently at the heart of a championship fight, in a car that many believe is the class of the field. Yet, he’s not obsessed with simply beating everyone — he’s focused on doing things in a way that makes sense for him.

That includes managing a fiercely competitive relationship with his team-mate Oscar Piastri, racing against Max Verstappen at the peak of his powers, and trying to extract performance from a car that, while undeniably quick, doesn’t always give him the feedback he craves.

Teammate rivalry, but without the drama

McLaren team-mates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri smile and each hold up one clenched fist in celebration after finishing first and second in the Spanish Grand Prix

One of the most remarkable aspects of McLaren’s season so far is the harmony between Norris and Piastri. In a sport where even cordial teammate relationships often deteriorate under pressure, the balance inside the papaya camp has held firm. The team has the two most closely matched drivers on the grid, both fighting for wins — and perhaps, the championship.

“I think it’s because I’m a great team-mate,” Norris says with a chuckle, flashing that now-familiar grin. But underneath the joke is a serious point: Norris believes it’s possible to fight hard and still keep things friendly. He talks about enjoying the journey, having fun, sharing laughs — even while pushing to beat the guy in the identical car.

“We are different people, different characters, but we both know deep down we want to beat each other,” he explains. “But we also want to enjoy our journey.”

It sounds idealistic. Formula 1 history is littered with examples of title fights turning toxic — Senna vs. Prost, Hamilton vs. Rosberg, Mansell vs. Piquet. But there’s a sense that McLaren are trying to break the mould, and that both drivers genuinely buy into it.

According to Norris, it all comes down to perspective: “We’re free to race each other, but we know our purpose is to race for McLaren. That’s something we’re both very proud of.”

Performance, perfection, and a tricky car

McLaren’s Lando Norris, on the outside, is alongside Red Bull’s Max Verstappen as they enter a right-hand corner during the 2025 Miami Grand Prix

Despite the strong results, Norris openly admits this season hasn’t started exactly how he’d imagined. Compared to 2024, when he led the McLaren charge against Red Bull, this time it’s Piastri who has the edge — more wins, more poles, more consistency.

“Maybe it’s not been the perfect or dream start, but I’m still happy,” Norris says. “It’s the kind of start you need if you want to fight for a title.”

He doesn’t seem rattled by Piastri’s step up. In fact, he’s full of praise for his teammate’s growth: “I’m not surprised. I know what kind of driver he is. I get to see what he’s doing with his hands and feet in the car. I probably have the best insight into just how good he is.”

What’s held Norris back, by his own admission, is a car trait that just doesn’t suit him. McLaren team boss Andrea Stella describes the front axle’s feedback as “relatively numb” — a characteristic that has proven tricky for Norris, who relies heavily on steering feel to extract performance.

“My primary source of feeling is through the wheel,” Norris says. “If you’re missing that little bit of sensation, it’s hard to be the best.”

He’s been working on adapting — using other sensations from the car, feedback through his body and feet, and working closely with engineers to adjust the setup. It’s a technical challenge, but also a mental one.

Racing Verstappen: respect, rivalry, and reality

Of course, it’s not just Piastri that Norris has to deal with. Max Verstappen is still very much in the mix — despite recent controversies. In Spain, Verstappen clashed with George Russell in a move Norris cheekily compared to “Mario Kart” in a post-race chat. He won’t expand on it now, joking that he doesn’t remember saying it.

Still, the dynamic with Verstappen is an interesting one. The pair are friendly off-track, but Norris doesn’t shy away from criticising his rival’s aggressive style.

“He’s raced me very, very toughly. And he has the right to do that,” Norris says. “I have a lot of respect for Max — the driver he is, the person he is, and what he’s achieved. But everyone races how they think is right.”

Norris recalls Verstappen once saying that he won’t let anyone pass him around the outside. Asked how he races someone with that mindset, Norris gives a measured answer.

“You learn in karting that overtaking around the outside is never easy,” he says. “But it can be done, and it will be done. The number one goal is to finish the race. Sometimes you’ve got to take the safer approach.”

In short, Norris knows when to push and when to back off — something that could prove crucial as the stakes rise.

Self-belief, ambition, and doing it his way

One of the more human aspects of Norris‘ personality has been his openness about struggles with self-belief. It’s a sharp contrast to the unshakable confidence of drivers like Verstappen or Hamilton. But it also makes him relatable.

Does he believe he’s the best?

“It’s a tricky question,” he says, pausing. “I do believe I can be the best driver. Maybe not every single day, but I believe I can drive quicker than anyone else when everything is right.”

It’s an honest answer. He knows that consistency, not raw speed, often makes the difference. “Performing at that level every weekend — that’s the difficult bit.”

But he adds: “I wouldn’t be here, I wouldn’t be fighting for a world championship, if I didn’t believe deep down that I could be the best in the world.”

A title run — but on his terms

With a third of the 2025 season gone, Norris is firmly in the title hunt. He has one of the fastest cars, a teammate who’s pushing him hard, and the maturity to navigate a high-pressure championship without losing sight of what matters to him.

He wants to win, of course. But he wants to enjoy the ride, to keep it clean, and to do it on his terms. His way.

“I’m here to enjoy my life,” he says. “And we want to do that together.”

For Norris, the destination matters. But so does the journey. And in a sport as ruthless as Formula 1, that might just be what sets him apart.