Lando Norris says social‑media pressure in F1 was hard to handle

British driver Lando Norris said the flood of negative comments on social media during his difficult 2025 season weighed heavily on him. He explained that any criticism affected him deeply and that he "did not manage it very well" for several years, stressing his desire to perform for fans and avoid disappointing them.

McLaren marketing director Louise McEwen highlighted the team’s inter‑connected commercial strategy, noting that partnerships now go beyond traditional sponsorship. With the sport’s rapid growth, half of McLaren’s audience is new, and the team must engage fans who mainly consume content online—only about 1 % ever attend a race in person. Norris added that winning the world title boosted his confidence, helping him put the past pressures into perspective.