Sebastian Vettel Praises Lando Norris for Mental Health Advocacy

Four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel has praised McLaren driver Lando Norris for his openness about mental health and self-doubt, calling his honesty courageous and inspiring for young fans. Norris, who started the 2025 season as a favorite for the world title but recently lost the championship lead to teammate Oscar Piastri, has faced criticism from some who view his candor as weakness. Vettel strongly disagrees, stating that self-doubt is natural and that discussing it should be seen as a strength rather than a flaw. He emphasized that everyone experiences ups and downs, and that Norris's willingness to talk about pressure and emotion represents a positive shift in the sport. Vettel hopes the media will support Norris and help change outdated perceptions of vulnerability in athletes. By drawing parallels to other athletes who have spoken about mental wellbeing, Vettel underscored the importance of breaking the stigma around mental health in high-performance environments.