Zak Brown Advises Lando Norris to Let Go of Perf… Read more
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has offered advice to Lando Norris as the young British driver continues his pursuit of a maiden Formula 1 world title. Brown has encouraged Norris to move away from a relentless quest for perfection and instead concentrate on delivering consistently strong performances without overthinking every detail.
Norris started the season with an impressive win from pole position at the Australian Grand Prix, delivering what many considered a near-flawless performance. However, in the races that followed, a series of minor mistakes have crept into his driving. Although not drastic, these errors have been enough to cost him valuable points in the standings.
Now, with six of the scheduled 24 races completed, Norris finds himself trailing his teammate Oscar Piastri by 16 points. Piastri, who has shown remarkable form since his home race in Melbourne, has taken four victories in the last five races and currently leads the championship standings.
Norris, known for his candid and self-critical approach, has openly expressed disappointment with his performances when they fall short of his high standards. His emotional transparency, while endearing to fans, sometimes reveals the internal pressure he places on himself to be flawless.
Speaking to the media, including RacingNews365, Brown acknowledged Norris’s talent but emphasized the need for a mindset shift. “He needs to stop striving for perfection,” Brown said. “You talk to any driver, and they’ll tell you they’ve never done a perfect lap. It’s about doing the best you can with what you have.”
Brown stressed that the pursuit of perfection, especially in a high-pressure environment like Formula 1, can be counterproductive. Instead, he advised Norris to focus on consistency and incremental improvements rather than chasing an unattainable ideal.
Elaborating further, Brown used a pit stop analogy to make his point: “If we do a 1.8-second pit stop, maybe we could do a 1.78. But if you go into every stop thinking you have to hit 1.78, you’re just creating unnecessary pressure. Just aim to do the best you can—that’s a healthier and more productive approach.”
According to Brown, redefining perfection as simply doing one’s best—rather than obsessing over flawless execution—can allow Norris to perform more freely and effectively. As the season progresses, this mental adjustment could be key to unlocking Norris’s full potential and keeping him in contention for the championship.
With much of the season still to come, Brown’s message is clear: confidence, calm, and consistency may prove more valuable than perfection in the quest for the F1 crown.
