Jenson Button publicly praised Lando Norris for the open way the Brit handles mental health issues. For the former driver and 2009 Formula 1 champion, the honesty shown by the current champion reveals strength in an environment marked by extreme pressure and constant insecurities.
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During his participation in the Beyond The Grid podcast, Button commented on the psychological challenges faced by drivers throughout their careers. According to him, even the biggest winners in the category live with internal doubts and heavy demands, regardless of the number of titles won.
“As drivers, we are flawed. We are insecure,” said the Brit. Button even used Lewis Hamilton as an example when commenting on the Brit’s radio messages at Ferrari: “You would think a seven-time world champion would have extraordinary confidence, but insecurities appear.”
The former driver explained that many competitors end up ignoring their own achievements because of the obsession with the most recent performance: “You forget everything you have already achieved and only think about the last session. You keep imagining: ‘I’m not good enough’ or ‘I was two tenths behind my teammate.’ The pressure we put on ourselves is enormous,” he added.
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Button also stated that many talented drivers fail to reach their full potential due to emotional difficulties. According to him, the subject is still treated as a weakness within Formula 1, something that makes Norris’s stance even more important: “That was what impressed me about Lando. The way he has openly talked about mental health in recent years has been really good,” he added.
Norris had already revealed details about his mental struggle during the title fight against Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen last year. After winning the championship, the Brit highlighted the importance of psychological support throughout the season.
“Everything adds up and can make a big difference,” said the McLaren driver. Norris explained that it is difficult to measure exactly the impact of mental work, but he believes the support received directly helped in his victories in the second half of the season and, consequently, in winning the championship.
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