Norris does not want to ‘be a dick’ - will it be his fatal flaw?

Lando Norris provided an assertive statement in the build-up to the Hungarian Grand Prix in response to the suggestion that he is too nice.

Discussions were centred around his response to the clash with Max Verstappen at the race from Austria, following suggestions he was not ruthless enough with his assessment of the situation.

"I'm a nice guy - I try to be, and I try to be respectful in every way that I can,” Norris told media including RacingNews365.

“It has absolutely zero relevance for what happens on track... I can be a lot more of a dick and act like an idiot and have that persona and make people think that, but I don't need to, I don't want to.”

But as Norris heads into a new chapter of his career, it may well be time to adopt a new approach.

The Piastri team order

From karting success at a uniquely young age to triumphs at Formula 3 and Formula 2 level, Norris was a proven winner by the time he got to F1.

That doesn’t necessarily separate him from his peers on the grid, many of whom have enjoyed similar paths before being put on display in the premier single-seater category.

The 24-year-old had to wait a long time for his first trip to the top step of the podium, with only seven drivers starting more races than him in F1 history before taking their maiden victories.

Norris could have added to his tally last time out in Hungary but opted to play the team game and let Oscar Piastri through following an order from the pit wall.

It was an admirable act, of course, and one that showed sportsmanship - but F1 drivers are seldom remembered for their kind acts. 

It is the ruthless and unforgiving competitors that are hailed higher than the rest.

There have been situations in the past, such as the infamous Multi-21 incident at Red Bull in 2013, in which team orders were not followed. Even in 2022, Max Verstappen failed to yield for team-mate Sergio Perez despite being further down the order as the Milton Keynes-based squad looked to aid Perez's pursuit of P2 in the drivers' standings.

The fallout from the incident would have been ugly, but Norris made his intentions clear by handing the position back - he is, at least for now, a team player.

Champions of the past

While Norris has asserted he doesn’t want to be a “dick”, it doesn’t necessarily have to be spun that way.

Every driver on the grid shares a common goal to win and sometimes to achieve such things in F1, you have to stamp your authority and make life difficult for your rivals.

Verstappen has done it, and so too have Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, to name a few.

The merciless approach to victory, when deployed by the right driver, is a key ingredient to on-track success.

Norris has proven over the last handful of seasons that he has all the makings of a front-running driver - but when it comes down to the finer details of what separates the race winners from the world champions, that extra spirit is vital.

F1 drivers at the peak of success are not supposed to be liked. They can be admired for their on-track skills, but when fans despair of the same competitor winning or the arrogance that comes with the knowledge of being the best in the world, they let themselves be heard.

Norris has voiced his desire to not be something he is not and perhaps his fresh approach of not playing mind games will benefit him.

However, he may not be treated similarly, especially by the likes of Verstappen whose aggressive title management was on full display during the 2021 season.

When it comes to deciding matters on track with a title on the line, there are few drivers who would not resort to playing hardball.

Norris is more than entitled to navigate his own career in the way he feels best suits him and if he can deal with the pressures placed on his shoulders without reciprocating his own cunning craft, that deserves some applause.

But with the childhood dream of an F1 title on the line, will staying true to his values be too much to ask?