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‘I’m happy to disappoint people’ – Norris reflects on the crucial ways he has changed since first entering F1
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Lando Norris has been reflecting on how he has “changed a lot” since making his Formula 1 debut back in 2019, with the Briton believing that he has now found a “better balance” in life as well as learning to focus less on others’ opinions of him.
Norris arrived into the sport with McLaren aged just 19 and soon became popular with fans for his activities both on and off the track, having built up a presence on social media as well as frequently streaming his online gaming exploits.
Reflecting back on his early days in F1 now, Norris – who has gone on to claim two race victories, 23 podiums and five pole positions – acknowledged the ways in which he has changed and suggested that one key aspect of this has been learning to enjoy his time away from the track more.
“I think it's evident, and I feel within myself, I feel like I have changed a lot since I've come into Formula 1,” Norris explained during the Italian Grand Prix weekend. “I don't know whether people want to say it's in good ways or bad ways or whatever.
“I think, at the end of the day, the main thing is I'm still myself. I'm happy to disappoint people and give my own opinion, whether it's right or wrong sometimes.
Norris was just 19 when he made his F1 debut with McLaren back in 2019
“I almost cared, I think, too much when I came into Formula 1, and not in a bad way, but just I cared almost more about other people's opinions and thoughts rather than just doing my own stuff and cracking on and being myself.
“Not that I ever wanted to be someone different or do something different, but I just feel like over time and with pressure, with focus on doing the job I have to do, I just found better balances of life and I probably enjoy my time away from the track more now.
“Probably in a different way to what I did back then, but the best way is just a better balance of life, whether I'm here working and I'm focused on doing what I want to do, which is win and to do the best job I can for my team.
“And the balance of going home and being able to disconnect and just enjoy my personal life and days at home where I can relax and do something else.”
In the years since making his debut, Norris has claimed two race victories, 23 podiums and five pole positions
Norris has noticed the changes in himself when looking back at footage and photos from his first few years in the sport.
“I feel like when I see pictures and I see videos of who I was and what I did, even 2019, 2020, ‘21, I do look at myself and see things and I'm like, ‘oh, I was very different back then to how I am now’,” the 24-year-old said.
“But at the end of the day, my focus and my job that I'm here to do has remained the same. So whether I laugh more or laugh less, or make jokes more or less, that's just how I've changed over the years.
“But I still love what I do, otherwise I wouldn't be here, and I still enjoy my time, but I think just in different ways. I get to share it more with my team, and I just learned how to treat Formula 1 and my job more as a focus and learn how to then switch off in a better way when I go back home.”
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