In a stunning revelation that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 community, Jacques Villeneuve has identified a pivotal “change in attitude” from Lando Norris as the secret ingredient behind the Briton’s remarkable championship triumph in 2025. Norris, who clinched the title by a razor-thin margin of just two points over the formidable Max Verstappen, has emerged as a force to be reckoned with, dethroning the 71-time grand prix winner in spectacular fashion.
Villeneuve, the 1997 world champion, believes that the transformation in Norris’s mental approach was nothing short of revolutionary. After a disappointing retirement at the Dutch Grand Prix, which marked the first race following the summer break, Norris found himself in a precarious position—34 points behind his teammate Oscar Piastri. However, instead of succumbing to pressure, the 26-year-old launched an incredible comeback, outscoring Piastri by a staggering 47 points in the final nine races. This late-season surge proved to be critical in the championship standings as Norris refused to back down.
Despite Verstappen’s impressive performance, which saw him outpace both Norris and Piastri by 68 and 115 points respectively during the season’s run-in, he ultimately fell short. Villeneuve was quick to commend Norris for his stellar finish but emphasized the importance of maintaining such high standards throughout an entire season. Early in the year, Piastri had the upper hand, showcasing a level of consistency that allowed him to seize control of the title race, while Norris struggled with costly mistakes.
“He’s been in F1 for quite a long time now, so he has experience, he honed his skill, and at the end of the season, he drove like he did at the end of last season,” Villeneuve noted, highlighting the maturity and skill Norris demonstrated. “What he has to work on is keeping it going all year, for 24 races.”
Historically, Norris has faced criticism for his candidness in the media, often perceived as being overly harsh on himself. This tendency to self-flagellate has been viewed as a vulnerability, potentially reflecting deeper issues with his mental approach to racing. However, as the season unfolded, Villeneuve observed a significant shift in Norris’s demeanor. “But we also saw quite a change in him during the season,” the former Williams, BAR, Renault, and Sauber driver remarked. “Early in the season, he was always berating himself a lot. And that stopped in the second half. We saw a change of attitude as well.”
Norris’s newfound focus has propelled him into the spotlight, as he shifted from self-doubt to determination, ultimately honing in on what needed to be done. Once he fell out of the championship lead, the fight transformed into a battle against Verstappen, igniting a fire within Norris that few could have anticipated. As the dust settles on an electrifying season, the Formula 1 world watches with bated breath to see if this change in attitude will solidify Norris’s status as a dominant force in the sport moving forward.
