In the high-pressure world of a Formula 1 title fight, sometimes the most important gains happen off the track. Fresh off his historic 2025 World Championship win, Lando Norris has opened up about the “secret” support system that helped him navigate the most stressful year of his life.
The McLaren driver revealed that during his intense battle with Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri, he received critical advice and encouragement from some of the greatest legends in motorsport history.
The “Two-Point” Difference
Norris clinched the title by a razor-thin margin of just two points. Looking back, he believes the psychological boost from veteran champions was the deciding factor.
“When you win the championship by two points, I would certainly say having these moments of faith from others around me got me those two points,” Norris admitted.
Advice from the Legends: Hamilton and Vettel
While the world watched his on-track battles, Norris was quietly leaning on those who had been there before.
- Lewis Hamilton: Despite a difficult season at Ferrari, the seven-time champ was a steady source of support for his younger compatriot.
- Sebastian Vettel: Norris revealed a little-known friendship with the retired four-time champion. “A lot of people don’t know I speak to Seb about things,” he shared, highlighting Vettel’s role as a mentor during the season’s low points.
Cross-Sport Wisdom: Casey Stoner
The support didn’t just come from the F1 paddock. Former MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner played a surprise role in Norris’s mental preparation.
According to Norris, Stoner sent him a timely text message when he needed it most, telling him to “believe in yourself” and offering tactical advice on handling the pressure of a championship finale.
Overcoming the Mid-Season Slump
The 2025 campaign wasn’t all glory for the Briton. After winning the season opener in Australia, Norris faced:
- A mid-season lead loss to teammate Oscar Piastri.
- A painful collision in Canada.
- A mechanical DNF at Zandvoort that almost derailed his hopes.
However, the “moments of faith” from icons like Hamilton, Vettel, and Stoner allowed him to reset. This culminated in a dominant victory in Mexico and the final push in Abu Dhabi that secured the “Papaya” team’s first title in 17 years.
F1 Stats Last Updated: March 29, 2026 | All statistics, lap times, and driver comparisons on this page reflect the most current data available from the official F1 sources. And updated till the last race which happened in 29th March 2026