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McLaren's rookie driver Lando Norris says there is no chance that he will be seduced into a party lifestyle by the glamour of Formula 1.
The 19-year-old said that he prefers sim racing to going out. Norris is about to embark on his first season in F1 with McLaren after achieving second place in Formula 2 last year.
The Briton, who will be the youngest driver on the grid has already gained a reputation as one of the best talents of his generation and as well as taking part in seven free practice sessions last year, he served as the reserve driver for McLaren.
Describing the reason for his aversion to the party lifestyle Norris said: "I don't like drinking basically. At all.
He explained that the negative effect of a hangover was stronger than the positive effect of the pleasure of getting drunk: "I don't like it. I've not done it for a while and I don't think I'll get to that point at all."
Norris says that although he occasionally goes into London with friends he hopes nothing come of it. He adds the there are things that he loves doing which may be going out with friends or to a party but that he prefers sim racing to going out so we will be unlikely to see him getting drunk in London.
Norris has shown his commitment to his new role by deciding to base himself in Guildford, Surrey so he can be near to the McLaren factory in Woking in order that he can spend as much time with the team as possible.
The British driver took the time to learn as much as he could from double champion Fernando Alonso last year: "I got to do that with Fernando, how he goes about race weekends, how he works, how he involves himself with the engineers. I knew Fernando on a much more personal level and I managed to learn a lot from that."
Norris has set himself realistic targets for his rookie season, he is aiming to become a better driver and to learn from Carlos Sainz. He adds that he has tried to prepare himself but that there are some things that can't be learnt until you are on the track.
"There are going to be things I'm not going to be great at, times when I make mistakes, 100%. It's very different when you get to F1 knowing if I do make one small mistake, a lot more people are going to see it. There is a lot more pressure in knowing you are under more scrutiny."
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Replies (3)
Login to replyajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
The party lifestyle is not good for any athlete. It works for Lewis, but it definitely doesn't help him. It's just a way for him to cope with whatever other emotional issues he has. The partying and travel numbs the underlying issue. That is until is doesn't, and Lewis has an awful weekend and we find out a year later that he didn't get enough rest, that he fought with his girlfriend or whatever. In not criticizing Lewis it's actually an underhanded compliment, because the fact that he performs so well in spite of his lifestyle says a lot about his raw talent and motivation.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
One thing I've learned in life is that you can never say never. Especially when you are so young. I think when he gets a little more mature he might loosen up a bit and enjoy the rock star like status of being an F1 driver. Why not if it doesn't interfere with his performance? Time will tell...
Norbert
Posts: 108
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