Norris on Ricciardo inspiration: 'Something I really admire'

Lando Norris has revealed how former McLaren teammate Daniel Ricciardo has inspired his approach to coping with adversity in Formula 1.

Ricciardo endured a difficult two-year spell at McLaren in 2021 and 2022, with his struggles leading to both parties agreeing to terminate their contract together a season earlier than planned.

This left the Australian without a seat for the current campaign but the Australian has remained in the paddock through his new role as Red Bull's reserve driver.

Norris has been a leading advocate for mental health awareness during his tenure in F1 and has pointed to Ricciardo's example of how to maintain a positive demeanour through challenging periods.

"Daniel has always done a very good job at either hiding or just dealing with tough times," Norris told media, including RacingNews365.com.

"That's something I really admire with how he's done. I wouldn't be able to look - and probably be - as happy as he's been in the past if I was in a similar position, so that's something I really do admire and try to be like more when I go through tough times."

Norris: Ricciardo hasn't lost bug for racing

With Ricciardo having previously highlighted his hopes to return to the F1 grid in 2024, Norris believes that the eight-time race winner still has the desire to race.

"I saw him in Miami, we speak still every now and then," said Norris.

"It's tough [for him]. I guess he still wants to be racing, I don't think he's lost any bug for that. I think he still wants to be in a race car.

"I guess, in some ways, [he has] nothing else to complain about. But when you're racing and you're maybe struggling a bit more, when you're in that position, that's just what either makes you very happy or makes you very sad.

"That's just what we've done since we were seven, eight, nine years old. It's all we want to do.

"So I guess, apart from not being in a seat, there's probably nothing else he can complain [about]."