Lando Norris emerged from his winter break with a renewed sense of purpose at the prestigious Autosport Awards in London, boldly stating that he has developed a deeper level of confidence that could propel him to multiple world championships in Formula One.
A Champion's Mindset
Norris, who secured his maiden world title in a dramatic finale in Abu Dhabi last December, was honoured as the 'Autosport Champion' at the Roundhouse in Camden. The award was presented by the legendary Sir Jackie Stewart, with Norris's family, including his mother Cisca, in attendance to celebrate his achievement.
When questioned about his ambitions to defend his hard-won title, the British driver responded with conviction. 'It is absolutely the goal,' he affirmed. 'When you win one it certainly gives you a lot more confidence. It is different for every driver. You must find your own way of doing things. I have never been one to have the most confidence in myself, but I certainly have more of it now.'
Building Belief Through Success
Norris elaborated on his psychological journey, describing himself as a 'seeing-is-believing kind of guy.' He admitted that he typically needed to stand on the top step of the podium to truly believe in his capabilities. 'Halfway through last season I felt I had everything I needed – the people around me, the team, the car and my own ability – to win the championship,' he recalled. 'That was the first time I had that belief in myself, and it turned out to be the correct thing to have.'
The 26-year-old has spent the off-season indulging in leisure activities, playing golf with friends and travelling to picturesque locations. He confessed that he has not revisited footage of his championship-winning race in Abu Dhabi, preferring to distance himself from the intensity of the sport. 'I have honestly tried to be as far from everything as possible and just enjoy the rest of my life,' Norris explained. 'I love Formula One, but I also love being away from it. It is an incredible job, I get paid well, and I get to travel with my friends and play golf in beautiful places. You have one life, and I want to try as many things as possible and enjoy it all.'
Testing Setback for McLaren
Despite Norris's optimistic outlook, his immediate path back to the track faces a minor delay. McLaren has announced that they will not participate on the first day, and potentially the first two days, of private pre-season testing scheduled to commence in Barcelona on Monday.
This testing phase is particularly significant due to a comprehensive overhaul in Formula One regulations, effectively resetting the competitive landscape and rendering the car Norris drove to victory in 2025 obsolete. The new format permits teams to run on three out of the five scheduled days.
McLaren's team principal, Andrea Stella, moved to reassure fans and stakeholders, insisting that the team's development programme remains 'on plan.' He emphasised that McLaren has been 'ambitious' in its interpretation and application of the new design rules, suggesting a strategic approach to the testing schedule rather than a setback.
As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on Norris to see if his heightened self-assurance translates into sustained success on the circuit, beginning with McLaren's adapted testing strategy in Spain.
