McLaren CEO Zak Brown has said that Lando Norris “redefined his communication” during the latter part of his title-winning 2025 Formula 1 season.
The Brit was vocal and open about his psychological struggles during the early part of the campaign, as he struggled to fully maximise the MCL39 in the same way team-mate Oscar Piastri was at that time.
There had been some backlash to Norris’ comments, as his willingness to show vulnerability was perhaps a more unique thing for an F1 driver to do.
After receiving public support from Sebastian Vettel and former team-mate Carlos Sainz, Norris later kick-started his championship challenge with the form that ultimately too him to his maiden title triumph.
Speaking to select media ahead of the launch of the MCL40, Brown, when asked by Motorsport Week how he personally feels to see Norris inadvertently position himself as a rolemodel for young people to be successful despite showing that vulnerability, the American was glowing in his stance.
“I think it’s great. I think that’s exactly what he’s done. Everyone carries themselves in a different way,” the Woking-based squad‘s chief said.
“Lando’s quite outspoken and outspoken about himself and that’s an outlet for him. Other people internalise, other people get angry. Everyone’s got their different ways of conveying.”
Brown continued that he gave Norris one small piece of advice along the way, which was not to be too self-critical when it was not necessary.
“Earlier in the year, my only comment back to him was I thought he was unduly hard on himself,” he revealed. “I didn’t think he made a mistake, but I thought he made a mistake or maybe we contributed to that.
“I thought the second half of the year was better than the first half of the year as he refined his communication, but I think he’s an outspoken individual and we welcome that.”
Norris will be back behind the wheel of the MCL40 in Bahrain this week.
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