Lando Norris shares top advice for winning Formula 1

Lando Norris shares top advice for winning Formula 1

As Formula One's popularity has increased here in the States, the hard work of achieving and maintaining success in the premier class of motorsport has remained the same for McLaren's Lando Norris.

In his sixth year with McLaren, Norris is now the team's leading driver. The 23-year-old exudes a calmness and coolness that serves him well in this position, while also being one of the fastest and most talented guys on the racetrack.

With a schedule consisting of 24 races in 20 countries and five continents in nine months, it is essential that Formula 1 drivers use all the resources at their disposal to perform at their best. It's a results-oriented sport and excuses don't fly far or for long. If you're not performing, there's no shortage of up-and-coming talent waiting for their chance.

While Lando Norris enjoys spending his free time with friends and family, whether it's golfing or pursuing his new love of cycling, when it's time to train or discuss the technical aspects of his job, he's all in. Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix here on Sunday, Lando Norris sat down with M&F and shared his thoughts on the steps needed to succeed in Formula 1.

Formula 1 training is very specific

I have a very good trainer who I have been with for almost 10 years. He knows what I love and what I hate. I can't do super long sessions. I need shorter, targeted sessions. Formula 1 is also super specific. A lot of this has to do with neck strength and that would probably be the biggest shock to anyone. If you were to jump in a Formula 1 car and drive, not only would the speed and acceleration stun you, but the G-forces in terms of braking and cornering would be the biggest shock.

There aren't many things in everyday life that require you to strengthen your neck, and there is specific training for that. You can go running without any problem and simply staying active is good for your overall health. It's certain things like heat training. When you sit in the car, it can get hot in some places. It's about maintaining the endurance side and maintaining concentration for such a long period of time. The cognitive side of things is very important. His neck, core, glutes, upper and lower back and all those things are very important. I like playing golf. I just recently started cycling and I will do more. A lot of my training doesn't involve heavy weights, but rather yoga. It's about keeping my body healthy and flexible and keeping the little muscles you don't use in everyday life sharp and in top shape.

How Lando Norris fuels his body

I think over time you learn what's best for you, what you like better and what you don't. My trainer takes care of all of that for me. I have a guy who takes care of my nutrition when I'm not racing. He will come to Monaco and prepare food for me for about a week. When I'm over in the UK at MTC [McLaren Technology Centre], I usually have a cooler bag that contains a few days worth of food - breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and drinks. Just because it's better to go that route than snack on things I shouldn't.

I think it's nice to be able to eat well on the go and do something with my friends every now and then. But it's important that I stick to whatever diet I'm given to stay as healthy as possible.

Everything in Formula 1 has to function at the highest level. It is the premier class of motorsport. It is a huge part of our health, fitness and strength. I learned more about what I like to eat and what works for me when I'm on and off the track. I would say I'm the type of person who sticks to what I like. When it comes to weekends, I only do one thing and stick to it for three days. Even if my coach hates it, I just stick with what I like and enjoy.

How Lando Norris adapts to different time zones and climate changes

I'm flying there the weekend before the race, which means I'll be there from Sunday evening to Thursday, the first day of work. Friday is the first day of driving. So I have four to five days to air condition. The same applies to Singapore, where it is much wetter and temperatures are much higher. It takes time. There is no special cheat to get over this. You can have the melatonin, tweak your exercise schedule, blue light glasses, and the other little tricks to help your body trick your mind in certain ways. But there is no way to go from one bed to the next and get used to it.

You just want to optimize these things - training at the right time, eating at the right time, blue light glasses and just giving yourself time to acclimate to your surroundings. The hard thing is you come home and have a race next week. It is not always easy to empathize with these times. Then you just have to strictly follow your schedule and sleep times. If not, you pay the price. If you do this, you can resume it within a few days.

The beauty of the Nice ice bath

For the hot races, nothing beats a nice ice bath. Especially a race like Singapore, Austin sometimes and Miami last year. It was boiling. In some of these races you can easily lose up to four kilos of body weight and you pay the price. A cold tub just wakes you up after a hot race. Drink a lot of water, eat a lot - I'm always hungry after I ride. I usually have a nice chicken burger. This is my little reward to simply recharge my batteries.

Have fun

I love Austin. The Texas BBQ place called Terry Black’s is so good. It's also very different to food from the UK and it's nice to have that kind of variety. I love doing In-N-Out even though I rarely get the chance. Italian food is my favorite. When we go to Monza and the races in Italy or Japan, those are my favorite races. I hate fish. I cannot eat fish or seafood in any way. However, when I go to Tokyo, I love the meat and the dishes. I have to be careful, but it's very pleasant.

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