Off Track, Under Pressure: F1 Drivers Shift Gears on Mental Health
- therookiereporters
- Apr 25
- 4 min read
by Claire A
Formula 1 is known for pushing the limits of speed, skill, and, as it turns out now, sanity. While these drivers are known for their nerves of steel behind the wheel, more of them are opening up about the mental toll this sport takes on their personal lives. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest names who’ve spoken out, what they’ve said, and how F1 teams are finally getting serious about mental health.
James Hunt: The Party Legend with a Hidden Struggle
James Hunt was the ultimate 1970s rockstar racer—fast, wild, and seemingly fearless. But his struggles were evidently there. While Hunt never publicly discussed mental health (it just wasn’t done back then), those close to him have since shared that he battled anxiety and stress behind the scenes, so much so that he was known to be so anxious before races he’d throw up. The culture back then was all about “toughing it out,” and drivers had to bottle up any sign of weakness. Hunt’s story is a reminder that even the most charismatic stars can be fighting silent battles. He struggled with periods of depression particularly after he retired from racing.
Lewis Hamilton: “Mental health is not a joke”
Lewis Hamilton, the most decorated F1 driver in history, has been brutally honest about his struggles. He’s talked about dealing with depression from a young age, fueled by bullying, racism, and the relentless pressure to perform. Hamilton has said, “There’s this weird threshold that we are not able to overcome to talk about our feelings because we think it’s a sign of weakness... Mental health is not a joke or something to be laughed at or overlooked. There’s a lot of darkness surrounding us all and it’s very easy to be pulled down by those things.” He’s also shared how meditation and therapy have helped him especially during the pandemic, and he’s become a vocal advocate for breaking down the stigma—especially for young men and people of colour.
Sebastian Vettel: “If You Break Your Leg, You Go to the Doctor…”
Sebastian Vettel, four-time world champ, has been a big voice for change in the paddock. He’s pointed out the double standard in howweek we treat physical and mental health: “I have no problem talking about it… If you break your leg, you go to the doctor... but if there’s an issue with our heads or with our feelings and emotions, we tend to not take care of it and ignore it.” He also says that it is a “weakness of society” that sports, even F1, discourage its athletes from discussing their mental health issues. Vettel’s message is simple: mental health is just as important as physical health, and it’s time for the sport and its fans to catch up.
Lando Norris: “I Struggled a Lot”
Lando Norris has become the poster child for F1’s new openness on mental health in the last few years. He’s spoken candidly about his battles with anxiety and depression, especially during his rookie year. “I struggled a lot in the last few years, especially in 2019 and 2020 coming into Formula 1—the pressure I was under and the stress and everything... then you can get into quite a deep hole,” Norris admitted. His struggles are mostly evident during race weekends, where he’s admitted to being very nervous before Qualifying and on race days, he barely eats or drinks anything. In the past, Norris also noted that he used to get emotional when people called him ‘Lando NoWins’ before his maiden and highly-awaited win in Miami in 2024 (pictured). He’s also teamed up with charities like Mind and uses his platform to encourage fans (and fellow drivers) to ask for help when they need it.
George Russell: “It’s the Head That Decides Everything”
George Russell is another driver leading the charge. He’s said, “Formula 1, for us drivers, is as much about mental health as physical health... It’s the head that decides everything.” Russell has openly discussed talking with psychologists, mental health specialists and the “emotional hangovers” that come after race weekends. He’s helped normalise the idea that mental training is just as important as physical training, saying that a low point in his career was what drove him to seek therapy and prioritise his mental health. “We all have our moments when we are feeling a bit down… but even when we are not, I think talking to somebody… have this mental maintenance just to keep ticking… to keep in a positive place, is so important.”
McLaren and their Mental Health First Aiders
It’s not just the drivers who are getting and showing support. McLaren, for example, has trained many of its employees as mental health first aiders. Their role is to be there to listen and point colleagues toward professional help if needed. This is a growing trend in F1, with several teams now investing in mental health resources and training for staff, recognising that the pressure isn’t just on the drivers but everyone in the garage and beyond.
Vettel Hails Norris as a 'Real Role Model'
This 2025 season, Lando Norris may have led the championship for four races but has openly discussed his struggles with confidence and adapting to the car. Sebastian Vettel praised Norris for his honesty, stating, "He's a real role model." Vettel emphasised that Norris's openness about his challenges represents progress in the sport, highlighting the importance of transparency and mental well-being among drivers. Norris himself has revealed that they “talk every now and then” and that Vettel always texts him in times when he needs it the most.
Why It Matters
The pressure in F1 is relentless—one mistake and millions are watching. As Lando Norris accurately put it, “If you do a good job, everybody’s there to lift you up. If you make a mistake, everyone’s there to try and bring you down.” That’s why it’s so important that drivers and teams are finally talking about mental health out loud. Their honesty is helping fans and fellow athletes realize it’s okay not to be okay—and that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. So, next time you see an F1 driver flying down the straight, remember: the real race might just be happening off the track.
