Formula 1: Sebastian Vettel Commends Lando Norris for Advocating Mental Health
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Synopsis
Sebastian Vettel has lauded Lando Norris for his courageous stance on mental health, aiming to inspire young fans and reshape perceptions of emotional expression in sports. Norris' journey during the 2025 season reflects the pressures athletes face, highlighting the importance of open conversations about mental wellbeing.
Key Takeaways
- Sebastian Vettel praises Lando Norris for his bravery.
- Norris shares his struggles with mental health.
- Vettel advocates for seeing vulnerability as strength.
- Historical context of emotional expression in racing.
- Importance of open dialogue about mental wellbeing.
New Delhi, April 24 (NationPress) Four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel has commended McLaren’s Lando Norris for his bravery in discussing mental health candidly. Vettel believes that Norris' transparency will motivate young fans and challenge the antiquated belief that expressing emotions denotes weakness in sports.
Norris, who kicked off the 2025 season as a top contender for the world championship following a strong performance in 2024, has had a tumultuous start to the new season. Although he triumphed in the season opener in Australia, he has struggled with consistency and has ceded the championship lead to teammate Oscar Piastri after finishing fourth in Saudi Arabia.
Throughout recent seasons, Norris has been vocal about the pressures of racing, sharing his experiences of feeling anxious before races and losing his appetite. While some critics interpret this as a sign of weakness, Vettel firmly disagrees.
In an interview with Sky Sports F1, Vettel stated, “Self-doubt is completely natural; however, discussing it is often viewed as unnatural - and that’s a mistake. I find it incredibly brave for him to share his feelings. I hope the media recognizes this as a strength, not a weakness.”
Retired from Formula 1 in 2022, Vettel has always been characterized by his thoughtful perspective on life beyond racing. He likened Norris' candidness to other elite athletes like Lewis Hamilton and Novak Djokovic, who have also addressed mental health publicly.
“Historically, racers were expected to be tough and suppress their emotions. Now, a transformation is underway. Drivers still compete fiercely, but they are also voicing the pressures they encounter, marking a positive evolution,” Vettel remarked.
He also recounted how discovering that his childhood idol Michael Schumacher experienced self-doubt aided him in managing pressure during his racing career.
“Hearing Michael share his self-doubt was a relief. It made me realize I wasn’t alone,” Vettel said.
