Lando Norris must “rethink” his strategy during the winter, according to his compatriot Damon Hill.
After more than a decade as a Formula 1 commentator for Sky UK, the 1996 world champion is leaving the channel – with some suspecting recent allegations of bias in favor of Norris are behind the news.
However, while Hill, 64, has recently been scathing about Max Verstappen’s attitude, he is also critical of Norris.
“He has all the necessary qualities,” Hill said of his 25-year-old compatriot, “but Lando needs to be hard on himself after the season and rethink some things.”
“He was too naive in some situations and showed his weaknesses. He must learn this for the future. Otherwise he will never be world champion.”
Hill believes Norris’ biggest weakness against Verstappen is psychological.
“He has to work on himself, first of all, mentally. Winning is a mental thing. He and the McLaren team have to internalize that.”
“They took the first step by winning a few races. Now they have to avoid making mistakes in crucial moments. Lando made a few, but we can only afford one, two maximum per season .”
“He needs to mature and understand that a battle for the world title in Formula 1 is not comparable to anything he has done before.”
“If you want to be the best of the best, you have to be able to handle the pressure under the spotlight. There is no room for doubt. The motto should be ‘I am the best, always and everywhere’.”
Like Verstappen, Red Bull is also a “master” of the psychological game, Hill explained. Recently, for example, Dr Helmut Marko said that Red Bull was lucky this year that Lewis Hamilton was not in the cockpit of Norris’ McLaren.
“No team masters these mind games as well as Red Bull,” admet Hill.
“They know exactly which buttons to push. It’s deeply ingrained in their DNA. They give their all to succeed and this statement is proof.”
“Helmut would never have publicly paid a compliment like that to Lewis if he didn’t think it would benefit Red Bull.”
Hill faced Michael Schumacher for titles in the mid-90s. And Verstappen has the same mentality as a driver like Schumacher according to him.
“It’s this self-confidence. It’s like the bumblebee. According to physics, he just can’t fly – but he does it anyway, because no one told him and he believed in himself -even. This is what distinguishes the truly great from others. They don’t listen to the opinions of others.
Verstappen is under contract until 2028, so it is possible he will break Hamilton and Schumacher’s joint record of seven career titles.
Hill, however, isn’t sure.
“It depends on the team. Max is an exceptionally good driver, but he also needs a car that can win. I don’t know if it will still be Red Bull in the future.”
“If I were him, I would look around. In 2026, the team will use its own engine for the first time. That’s a big question mark. But above all, there still seems to be tension within of the team. Everyone puts pressure on everyone.”
“Who is actually the boss? Is it Christian Horner or Dr. Marko? Is it Max? Is it his father Jos, who gets involved regularly? They are all alpha animals who are not afraid of conflicts.”
