Lando Norris speaks openly about doubts and self-confidence: why the world championship title changed everything for him, what really made him strong, and what his goal is for 2026
McLaren driver Lando Norris will start this year as the reigning Formula 1 world champion and title defender. And how could it be otherwise? The 26-year-old Briton has his sights set on winning the title again: “That is absolutely my goal. Yes, absolutely,” Norris smiles.
“Winning a title naturally gives you a lot more confidence,” emphasizes the McLaren driver at the Autosport Champion Awards in London, adding: “Everyone is different, right? You have to find your own way, and some people have more confidence than others.”
“I was never particularly confident,” Norris admits. However, that changed noticeably with his World Championship success last year. “Now I definitely have more confidence, that’s for sure. I’ve always been someone who believes things when I see them, but that also applies to myself.”
Lando Norris: “Believed in myself in 2025”
“So I always had to see myself at the top of the podium, see myself winning, to finally believe that I could do it,” explains Norris. “Last year, I actually managed to realize that before I had actually done it.”
“By the middle of the season, I already felt I had everything I needed: the people around me, the team, the car, and my own ability to win the championship. Last year, I really believed in myself for the first time, and it proved to be spot on. That was a really great feeling.”
It remains to be seen whether Norris will be able to experience this feeling again in the 2026 season. The new Formula 1 regulations could fundamentally change the balance of power. However, McLaren is relying on the Mercedes power unit – and that currently enjoys a good reputation …