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Lando Norris has been radiating positivity recently, but many believe the Brit is too critical of himself after performances he's not satisfied with. The 24-year-old F1 driver is motivated to dethrone Verstappen, though he knows it will be a tough task. His self-critical remarks have sparked a lot of reactions, notably from legends of the sport like Nico Rosberg.
The former Mercedes driver commented on Norris’s responses to some less impressive performances, suggesting that the Brit should consider changing his mindset. Rosberg emphasized that Norris should adopt a mentality where he tells himself he's the best, which could further boost his confidence.
“He is the first to say ‘I am not driving like a world champion should’. He is publicly self-critical.
I feel that it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy if you say ‘I am weak and I make mistakes’, then you will make mistakes.
You need to project the strongest sense of self, and buy into that.”-Nico Rosberg, as quoted by Crash.
Rosberg believes that Norris should consider working with a sports psychologist, who could likely find ways to motivate him and help him become the best version of himself. The former F1 driver confirmed that he had sent a direct message to Norris, thinking that his own experience could be valuable for the young driver.
Like everyone involved in the sport, Rosberg also faced confidence issues at times. Being part of a major competition and always striving for higher goals often means being self-critical. Rosberg views Norris as an authentic person, and he feels that the self-criticism Norris has expressed, even after securing pole positions, highlights how much he demands from himself. It seems Rosberg thinks Norris overanalyzes things and criticizes himself even when it's unnecessary.
The 39-year-old German has noticed many strengths in Norris, recognizing him as one of the top F1 drivers. However, Rosberg is concerned about Norris's mindset, especially when he doesn't focus on the positive aspects of his performances. Nico thinks that emphasizing his strengths could be a good way for Norris to boost his motivation. With his understanding of psychology, Rosberg believes that constantly reinforcing positive thoughts can help shape a more confident mindset.
Rosberg stressed that he worked with a sports psychologist for a decade, with a particularly intense focus in the last year. He described it as a huge effort, involving two hours of coaching and learning every other day throughout the winter. He noted that this mental training was even more intense than his physical training. Rosberg found it to be quite demanding but extremely worthwhile and valuable. Beyond just sports, he felt he gained a lot of insights and made substantial progress through this experience.
An increasing number of athletes are choosing to consult with psychologists to address existing issues. Modern sports involve much more than they used to, with today's drivers being significantly more scrutinized than in the past. The competition is fiercer, which often leads to additional measures like finding a sports psychologist to help manage these pressures. Rosberg, a former F1 driver, made a great move by working with a sports psychologist and believes Norris could benefit from taking the same approach.
Lando Norris reacts: I don't think it's right that I'm ever easy on myself
Lando Norris has already responded to rumors and call-outs from some big names, highlighting that there is likely some truth to the fact that he is overly self-critical. The young Brit believes he has the wrong approach, given that he is rarely easy on himself. The McLaren driver sees this as a way to achieve success, as he always demands more from himself. However, some are questioning whether this is truly the right solution or if Norris is just creating bigger problems for himself.
"I think I need to potentially be slightly better balanced with it," Norris said.
"I don't think it's right that I'm ever easy on myself.
Maybe easier than what I am now, but never easy. And again, this is personal preference. I've always taken on board what people say, especially from people with knowledge."
Lando Norris explains that he values the opinions of people with relevant experience, such as former drivers or key figures in the sport like Andrea Stella and Zak Brown, because they have a deep understanding of certain situations. However, he also emphasizes that ultimately, he needs to focus on what works best for him personally. It's about understanding himself and finding what strategies and approaches are most effective for his own development and success.
The Briton is motivated to succeed, having the same mindset as before. We will see if he will listen to advice from important people like Nico Rosberg.
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