In a recent episode of the Formula For Success podcast, former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan expressed concern that Lando Norris might earn the reputation as “one of the fastest drivers possibly not to win a World Championship.” Jordan pointed out that despite McLaren’s competitive edge in several races, especially when rival Max Verstappen encountered challenges, Norris missed critical opportunities to secure victories.
Eddie Jordan suggested that Norris’ “nice” approach on the track may be holding him back from reaching the next level. He noted that while McLaren has shown a clear advantage at times, Verstappen has consistently managed to maintain his title lead. Jordan raised the question: “Is Lando Norris too nice to capitalize on crucial race moments?”
David Coulthard, podcast co-host and former driver for McLaren and Red Bull, voiced his agreement while also noting that Norris is still maturing. Coulthard said, “Norris has the speed and the skills, but at a certain point, he needs to adopt a champion’s mentality.” He emphasized that challenging drivers like Verstappen demands a more aggressive mindset, with Norris needing to assert himself on the track and make decisive, uncompromising moves when necessary.
McLaren’s Rebuild and Norris’ Progress
The McLaren team has shown significant progress this season, surprising many with their strong early performance. Coulthard highlighted that both McLaren and Norris are still adapting to the demands of consistently challenging for wins. “They’re realizing they can compete at this level,” Coulthard noted. “And Lando is on that same journey—close, but still working on developing the champion’s mentality.”
As Norris continues to mature in his role, the Formula 1 community will be watching to see if he can break free from the potential “fastest driver never to win” title and firmly establish himself as a future World Championship contender.
