McLaren F1 bosses are important to my development

Norris joined the Woking squad ahead of the 2019 F1 season and has grown into one of the sport’s most trusted top performers since driver Sergio Perez.

The 21-year-old has impressed most of all this season with his consistency, which is crucial for McLaren in the battle with Ferrari for third place in the constructors’ championship. Norris finished in the top five in nine of the first 12 races.

Norris says his bosses Brown and Seidl played an important role in his development, saying they can strike a balance between support and a proverbial kick for the young Brit when needed.

“I think it was hugely important,” he replied when asked by Motorsport.com about Brown and Seidl’s support.

“They have to support you in difficult times and criticize you when you need to be criticized.

“It’s not just about making yourself feel good, it’s about telling you the truth and telling yourself, ‘You just have to be better at this area, and you have to be better at this area.”

“But they just want to help you, you don’t just have to impress them. They also want to help you do a better job and maximize yourself.

“And it definitely helped me move faster and become a better driver. I still feel pressure from them so it’s not that easy and we’re best friends or whatever and I can get away with anything.”

He added, “They are still my bosses and I don’t want to make mistakes; I don’t want to make her look bad. And at the end of the day I still have a job where I have to perform and I go out and do a very good job.

“Even in these tougher times, or the times you have trouble, or the times you need to kick your ass to do a better job in any area, they give you that. And I think it is a very good combination of both kinds of things that they can help with. “

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Norris is known as a particularly analytical and self-critical driver, which Seidl previously identified as one of the reasons for Norris’ progress.

“Of course all drivers are different and some people don’t want support, they can do it on their own,” explained Norris.

“And then there are some riders who need a lot of support and they need the trust of everyone around them.

“I would say I’m a bit in the middle, I love doing a lot of things on my own. And since I’m a very negative guy, I try to work on myself a lot.

“I feel like I can do a lot by complimenting myself and being negative about myself and I can learn a lot from it.”