Vettel Praises Norris Amid F1 Self-Criticism Debate

Sebastian Vettel has praised Lando Norris for his open self-criticism, calling the McLaren driver a 'real role model' and highlighting this transparency as a sign of progress in Formula 1. Despite recent struggles adjusting to McLaren's 2025 car and finishing behind teammate Oscar Piastri in Bahrain, Norris currently leads the drivers' championship by a narrow margin. Some observers, including coach Martin Villari, caution that excessive self-criticism could harm performance, reflecting a broader debate within the sport about the best mental approach for elite athletes. Vettel, however, believes Norris's openness represents a positive cultural shift towards honesty and mental health awareness in F1. He also expressed confidence in Norris as a championship contender and doubted that his rivalry with Piastri would become particularly intense. The discussion underscores evolving views on vulnerability and heroism among drivers.