Sebastian Vettel brands Lando Norris “very courageous” after speaking out on self doubt

Four-time Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel has defended Lando Norris’ self critique and doubt, stating that “it’s very courageous of him to open up and talk about that side of him.”

The McLaren driver has often appeared downbeat while speaking to the media after a race that didn’t go as he had hoped. The most recent example came after last weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, where Norris had hoped to overtake Mercedes’ George Russell before the race end. He explained to the media at the time: 

“A tough race; I made too many mistakes with the overtakes, being out of position, it was a messy race for me and I’m disappointed not to bring home a 1-2 for McLaren, cause that would have been lovely at home. A tough one, but still a few positives.

“I mean, it was good racing throughout, so no complaints, just good fun – some good overtakes, but everyone hard and on the limit as it should be.”

While some criticise the driver for being too hard on himself, Vettel feels that it’s only natural. The former F1 driver commented to Sky Sports F1:

“Aren’t we all having good times and bad times, whether we’re Formula 1 drivers or have a regular job? Aren’t we all like that? We have better days and worse days, and I think the threat now is that people are talking about what he’s maybe going through and interpret it as a sign of weakness.

“Like why he’s doing that, what’s going on with him, what’s wrong with him. Nothing’s wrong with him, I think everybody’s going through the same things in different phases of your lives.

“Self-doubt is the most natural thing there is, but it’s also the most unnatural thing to talk about, and that is wrong. So I think it is completely fine, and I think it’s very courageous of him to open up and talk about that side of him. And I wish and I hope the media picks it up and turns it a little bit around.”

Norris currently leads the drivers’ championship with 77 points, but is closely followed by his team-mate Oscar Piastri, who is just three points behind him.