Herbert says Lando Norris has stopped “wasting energy” on honesty

21:57, 01 Nov

Updated: 22:18, 01 Nov

byLuke-John Buckle

Johnny Herbert feels that Lando Norris has understood he can't waste energy on being too honest in Formula 1.

"He has realised that he needs to completely use all the energy that he's got and not waste that energy on that honesty that comes out, because that honesty becomes a very negative thing for you."

- Johnny Herbert

Norris drove superbly last time out at the Mexico City Grand Prix to take the race win and the lead in the world championship.

The British driver is now setting the pace in the standings and holds a one-point lead over his teammate Oscar Piastri.

Three-time Grand Prix winner Herbert explained on the Stay on Track podcast that Norris now knows too much honesty can be a bad thing.

He said: "Lando's interesting because a lot of people have been critical, I am probably one of those as well, because he's very, very honest.

"Sometimes honesty is not something you want to get out there to the media because your teammate is going to hear about it.

"And sometimes I think your teammate can use that as a very powerful weapon against you."

Johnny Herbert - Photo: Race Pictures

Norris did have a slight slump after the summer break prior to Mexico, retiring with mechanical issue in the Netherlands.

He also drove to a lacklustre seventh place in Azerbaijan, failing to fully capitalise on McLaren teammate Piastri's DNF. Despite this, he is leading the standings with four events to go.

Herbert added that he feels Norris has worked out where to best focus all his energy: "He has realised that he needs to completely use all the energy that he's got and not waste that energy on that honesty that comes out, because that honesty becomes a very negative thing for you."

Norris' ability in low-grip conditions may help him in the title battle

The McLaren driver is aiming to secure his first world championship this season, and Norris' ability to manage low-grip surfaces may help him at points over the next four rounds.

The championship leader dominated in Mexico, where the lower air density forced the teams to run high downforce levels.

As well as this, the usually cold track temperatures in Las Vegas may give him an edge in the championship battle if that is the case this year.

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