Formula 1 driver Lando Norris recently opened up about the fleeting joy that follows victory, highlighting how F1 success and mental health are often in tension. Speaking just weeks after winning his home Grand Prix in Silverstone, Norris admitted that the high of such achievements quickly fades, leaving behind complex emotions and a focus on future challenges.
This conversation was sparked by remarks from world-class golfer Scottie Scheffler, who shared similar feelings about the transient nature of winning, underscoring that triumph in elite sports often does not lead to true personal fulfillment or mental peace.
Scottie Scheffler’s Honest Reflection on the Limits of Sporting Triumph
Prior to the Open Championship in Portrush, Scottie Scheffler expressed the struggle many champions face despite prominent success. He described winning as an achievement that feels rewarding momentarily but fails to satisfy the deeper parts of the heart.
Scheffler explained that the desire to win remains constant each year, even though the euphoria of victory lasts only briefly. He highlighted the relentless nature of professional sport, where each triumph is quickly overshadowed by the next competitive goal.
This is not a fulfilling life,
Scheffler said, adding,
“It feels like you work your whole life to celebrate winning a tournament for like a few minutes. It only lasts a few minutes, that kind of euphoric feeling.”
—Scottie Scheffler, Golfer
The Scientific Explanation Behind the Post-Victory Emotional Rollercoaster
Experts note that this mental state can be traced to the release and subsequent drop of dopamine in the brain. While dopamine is often linked with pleasure, it also affects cognitive and motor functions, which are critical for athletes. The decline in dopamine levels after winning can bring about withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and depression.
Elite athletes frequently experience a mental cycle where the rush of success is followed by self-doubt and pressure to repeat their performance, making the emotional toll of competition considerable.
Lando Norris Shares His Own Experience with the Emotional Impact of Winning
Lando Norris, known for being more candid than many of his Formula 1 peers, related closely to Scheffler’s comments during a pre-Belgian Grand Prix interview. Despite achieving a landmark victory at the British Grand Prix, Norris revealed that his elation soon dissipated.
I was pretty low on Monday [after the British GP] for different reasons,
Norris admitted.
He expressed admiration for Scheffler’s openness, appreciating how the golfer honestly conveyed his feelings without conforming to public expectations.
He’s just honest about what he wants. Not everyone has to say what everyone believes in and what everyone thinks should be correct or not correct.
—Lando Norris, F1 Driver
Norris emphasized respecting individual approaches to success, noting Scheffler’s unique attitude in overcoming extraordinary competitors like Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Jordan Spieth.
I think it’s pretty amazing to see that, with someone with the attitude like he had, which is not a bad attitude – it’s just his own way of achieving what he’s achieved. And I think you have to respect something like that… it was fascinating and cool to see someone performing at such an incredibly high level come out and just say what he did.
—Lando Norris, F1 Driver
Mental Health Challenges Faced by Champions Across Sports
Formula 1 is not unique in this struggle. Damon Hill, 1996 F1 world champion, reflected similarly in his autobiography, describing how imposter syndrome and personal adversity haunted his career. Despite tremendous success, Hill detailed a persistent internal conflict about his identity as a racer.
During my career I was always confused about whether I was authentically a racing driver,
he wrote,
or someone tasked with a mission to complete before I could become my true self.
—Damon Hill, Former F1 World Champion
The mental toll extends beyond motorsport. Boxing champion Tyson Fury revealed how bipolar disorder and depression led him to drug use, while gymnast Simone Biles made headlines by withdrawing from Olympic finals, citing mental health reasons before making a celebrated comeback.
The Broader Human Experience of Striving and Emotional Turmoil
Beyond modern athletes, historical figures have also shared similar emotional experiences tied to their careers. Actor Kenneth Williams, known for his wit and sensitivity, documented his own highs and lows in diaries that revealed the struggle of living with emotional intensity amid public life.
Williams’ contemporaries, like Nicholas Parsons, observed how performing brought Williams immense energy, followed by sharp emotional crashes away from the spotlight, highlighting a universal theme among high achievers.
Looking Forward: The Continuous Pursuit Beyond Victories
Lando Norris captured the relentless nature of competitive sport by insisting that past wins quickly become irrelevant as the focus shifts to the next event. He stressed that the thrill of triumph at Silverstone does not influence performance on subsequent race weekends.
It is quite short-lived,
Norris explained,
I feel like winning at Silverstone has nothing to do with tomorrow. It was great. But the focus is on this weekend.
—Lando Norris, F1 Driver
This mindset underlines the ongoing challenge athletes face in balancing their quest for victory with maintaining mental health and personal fulfillment. The dialogue opened by Norris and Scheffler encourages a broader understanding of how F1 success and mental health intersect, revealing the profound psychological demands behind the glory.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is number 13 banned in F1?
A. Yes, the number 13 is permitted. Pastor Maldonado selected #13 when the permanent number system started in 2014. Although many cultures view 13 as unlucky, F1 lets drivers decide their numbers.
Q. Which F1 driver has ADHD?
A. Lewis Hamilton’s experiences with ADHD and dyslexia influenced his personal and professional life. His journey shows that people with learning differences can still achieve great success in F1 racing.
Q. Is 69 allowed in F1?
A. F1 drivers can pick a permanent racing number from 2 to 99, except for 17, to use throughout their careers.