Nico Rosberg Gives Lando Norris Tough Instructions to Keep F1 Title Hopes Alive

Nico Rosberg has called on Lando Norris to work with a psychological coach as the McLaren driver battles to keep his Formula 1 title hopes alive in 2025. Rosberg, a world champion in 2016, made the remark after observing Norris during qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix.

Norris held a slender 0.017-second advantage over his teammate Oscar Piastri after the first Q3 laps but struggled on his final attempt, making several minor mistakes that cost him dearly. This allowed Piastri to take pole position by 0.209 seconds, the biggest margin of the season so far.

The lost pole proved costly for Norris when the lights went out on race day. Citing the start lights as a distraction, Norris had a slow getaway and was overtaken by Max Verstappen at the first corner.

Despite mounting a comeback to finish second, Norris could not catch Piastri. He left Barcelona trailing his teammate by 10 points in the championship, with Verstappen still in striking distance just 49 points adrift.

Norris has been openly hard on himself during 2025, often voicing disappointment in minor errors he feels have held him back. Rosberg believes a mental approach could help Norris iron out these issues.

Speaking after the race, he pointed out that while F1 drivers spend hours training their bodies, the mental side is often overlooked. Rosberg revealed that leading up to his own title-winning year, he dedicated two hours every other day to working with a psychologist.

He shared that those mental sessions were at times even more challenging than physical training but paid off significantly.

McLaren continues to be a force in this season’s championship, with Norris and Piastri leading the standings on 176 and 186 points, respectively. Verstappen sits third with 137 points for Red Bull, while George Russell and Charles Leclerc complete the top five.

McLaren also leads the teams’ standings with 362 points, far ahead of Ferrari’s 165 and Mercedes’ 159. Recent storylines from the paddock include speculation about Red Bull’s future driver lineup, as well as discussions about Max Verstappen’s clash with George Russell in Spain.

There have also been questions concerning Lewis Hamilton’s performance since his move to Ferrari, and how other drivers like Liam Lawson are finding opportunities during a highly competitive year. Looking ahead, the F1 calendar features races at Canadian, Austrian, British, and Belgian circuits.

Each event presents another opportunity for Norris to address his consistency and push for the championship. Rosberg’s advice is clear: strengthening the mind could be the key for Norris if he wants to convert his speed into a title before the season draws to a close.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.