Brown: I've never seen Norris in a better place

“I think Lando's in a great place,” Brown told Racer in a recent interview, after Norris' victory in Hungary: “There was also a time Lando couldn't win from pole, according to the world, and he's won four of the last five races [he’s started] from pole. So I think this kind of narrative around Lando is not accurate today.

“He's open, kind of wears his emotions on his sleeve, so to speak. I think everyone's different, but I think he's in a great place. I've never seen him in a better place.

“[In Budapest after qualifying] I think the Lando of a year ago maybe would have been more critical on himself. He's doing an awesome job. So, no, I think that is much like the he can't win from pole stat. Now that he's won four or five races from pole, no one seems to be talking about that.

“I think you guys should write about that. Because there's another stat out there from [Charles Leclerc], who I'm a big fan of, who's not won that many races from pole, and I don't think that's anything on him. I think that's [a reflection of] how awesome he is over a lap and maybe can carry a car over a lap that doesn't have the ultimate race pace," ventured Brown.

The McLaren boss continued: “So that's not intended to be disparaging on Lando at all. I think he's a huge talent. But my point is kind of a good narrative, and then when that narrative goes away, no one kind of, it's almost like the retraction's always on the back page. And I think Lando's in a great place.”

Heading into the Formula 1 summer break with bragging rights after winning the 'Battle of Budapest' against teammate Oscar Piastri, until racing resumes again at the end of the month, Norris says he is a more complete driver than he was last season.

Norris took his maiden win in 2024 and mounted a late-season challenge to Max Verstappen, but he believes his growth since then is what makes him more dangerous in this year’s title fight. Nothing makes my life feel different, it’s just your preparedness for this moment, for this battle.

From a racing side, I've learned a lot of things. Just generally more experience. What comes with experience is just dealing with more situations, going through more things, understanding your team better, and them understanding you better. So naturally, you're just more prepared for any situation," added Norris, who lies nine points behind teammate Oscar Piastri with ten rounds remaining after the summer break.