When it comes to discussions on the best F1 drivers, Lando Norris will undoubtedly come up as one of the youngest and most talented names in the sport.
At just 24 years old, he’s raced in more than 100 Grand Prix. His wins include a landmark victory at the British Grand Prix, helping McLaren net its first Silverstone podium finish since 2010. It’s thus no surprise that the team renewed his contract at the beginning of 2024. On his end, Norris is clearly taking that extended partnership seriously. He most recently dominated the Singapore Grand Prix, bringing his total wins for the current season up to three and helping him catch up with frontrunner Max Verstappen.
What makes following Norris’ career even more fulfilling is the fact that the driver has had to overcome multiple hurdles just to get to where he is today. In particular, he’s had a number of health concerns over the years that have both directly and indirectly impacted his F1 performance. Thanks to the efforts he makes to look after the most crucial aspects of his health both on and off the track; however, Norris has managed to maintain a high standard when in his races—which means we can expect even greater successes from him in the years to come.
Back health
In 2023, Norris first revealed that he’s been struggling with health issues that have accumulated over the years and became especially severe the year before. The driver specifically noted that he now experiences aggravated back pain resulting from the extreme physical demands of the sport. In 2022, this issue began affecting both his racing performance and his daily life, particularly disrupting his overall sleep quality. To remedy the problem, Norris began more intensive physical training and therapy to streamline his recovery, boost his stamina and prevent chronic pain from continually affecting him during races.
I have to stretch; I have to do all these things. In the morning and in the evening. Before every session.
Lando Norris
Driver, McLaren F1 Team
He now focuses on strengthening specific muscle groups like his core, glutes, and lower back. With additional support from his team at McLaren, he’s also working to strike a balance between his career and physical health. Given his recent successes in 2024 alone, it’s safe to say that these efforts have successfully helped him bounce back.
Eyesight
Healthy vision is crucial for professional F1 drivers, with British journalist Denis Jenkinson arguing in his book The Racing Driver that it’s the most important attribute they should have. That’s especially true given the high speeds involved in races, which can cause simple things like dirt to fly into the eyes, irritate them, and obscure what they see. These issues can greatly increase one’s likelihood of running into collisions. Exposure to the sun’s UV rays can also accelerate how quickly the eyes age, which can significantly impact the longevity of a driver’s F1 career.
It’s thus no wonder that Norris is often seen wearing men’s sunglasses both on and off the track. Similar to the Gibson and Whitley models you’d find on Glasses Direct, the specs he sports come with 100% UV-blocking lenses as standard, as well as durable acetate frames meant to both block irritants and withstand the rigours of his line of work. Norris’ efforts to prioritise his eye health closely follow those he’s made to ward off chronic pain, which is probably why he unveiled his collaboration with SunGod around the same time he first publicised his back issues. Part of the latter’s racing sunglasses collection with McLaren, the aptly named Lando Silverstone Zephyrs was designed by Norris himself. Boasting features like impact- and scratch-resistant frames and lenses, these illustrate the emphasis the racer places on the importance of eye health for extending his own F1 career.
‘Having my own pair of sunglasses for my home race, on my home track, is super special, and it’s been great to work with their team on bringing my ideas to life,’ the driver said upon the Zephyrs’ release.
Wellbeing
Simultaneously being one of the youngest and most talented drivers in F1 has its ups and downs, and no one knows that better than Lando Norris. He often found it challenging to cope with the overwhelming pressure of having to perform well at such a young age, especially during the early stages of his career. Norris particularly experienced bouts of anxiety, frequently overthinking and panicking before races. He also faces heavy pressure from F1 fans to perform at a high level.
‘I just didn’t know how to deal with it. I kept all of it inside and it really hurt my self-belief and self-confidence, which got to an all-time low,’ Norris shared during an interview with GQ Hype. ‘I doubted myself: am I good enough to be in Formula One? Can I come back from this?’
Believing that many other racers face the same difficulties throughout their careers, he’s opted to boost his well-being—and that of others—by being open about his struggles. After building internal and external support systems with the help of his McLaren team and his loved ones, Lando Norris began sharing his insights on mental well-being on social media. Disclosing his true feelings on the drawbacks of being in the public eye helped him realise that one can’t truly please everyone. Over time, he slowly regained his confidence in the sport, and he now believes he enjoys racing more fully than he did in 2019 and 2020. Today, Norris continues to do so not just for his long-term well-being as an F1 driver but for the sake of the community he’s built in the process. In doing so, he’s now able to successfully safeguard his health both on and off the track—while simultaneously securing a following that’s closely invested in his future F1 endeavours.
