Norris ups self-criticism despite McLaren concerns as outcome speaks volumes

03 January 2024 , 16:48

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Lando Norris was especially critical of himself in the final weeks of the 2023 F1 season (Image: Getty Images)

Lando Norris feels his self-criticism is one of his biggest strengths despite sparking concerns from his boss.

Norris has always been his own biggest critic. But, even by his standards, the Brit was especially hard on himself in the final weeks of the 2023 season as some mistakes in qualifying proved costly.

The 24-year-old was visibly furious in several post-session interviews, during which he would bluntly slam his performances. At the Qatar Grand Prix, he even went as far as to declare himself "so s**t" after having a lap deleted for a track limits violation.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella raised the topic at the final race of the season. "The way he addresses his own performance, I think deserves attention because he just seems very harsh on himself," said the Italian of his driver.

Norris, however, is not concerned about the way he treats himself after making mistakes. In fact, he feels it is one of his strengths and pointed to his record of bouncing back strongly as evidence that it is a motivation tactic that works for him.

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"As much as I get annoyed with myself on Saturdays at times and people are like, 'You shouldn't beat yourself up' and all of that stuff, a lot of my best performances come then on that next day," he told Motorsport.com.

"And it doesn't affect me when I go and drive the next day, because I'm like, 'Oh, I still just messed up Saturday'. Just because I say it and things, it doesn't mean that. And I think a lot of people have different opinions on it, but I've always been that way.

"Since karting, I've always been like that. It's the way I got brought up and it's the way I've developed into being the driver that I am today. And, at times, maybe it's not the best thing and I do get just very frustrated and down over a lot of it, but just because I care about doing a good job and trying to deliver for the team.

"So, I do it, not that I just purposely try to do it, but because it's just the way that I work best. And it's the way that I'm able to bounce back best. Therefore, I've always just been very honest when I think I've done a good job and bad job."

Despite his mistakes later in the season, Norris still spearheaded McLaren's impressive charge up the standings as the season went on. And he finished sixth in the drivers' championship himself, just one point of fourth place, thanks to the regularity with which he got the best out of his much-improved car.

Daniel Moxon