In a sport where mental fortitude is as critical as raw speed, 2009 Formula 1 champion Jenson Button has lauded Lando Norris for his courage in speaking openly about mental health—a move Button says shows "a lot of strength."

Reflecting on his own storied career, Button revealed that even the most decorated drivers battle deep-seated insecurities. Speaking on the F1 Beyond The Grid podcast, he pointed to a telling moment: seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, during his Ferrari stint, radioed his team asking if he'd done something wrong after a delayed response. "You're a seven-time world champion," Button said. "The confidence you should have is out of this world, but insecurities creep in. You forget what you've achieved and just think about that last session. 'I'm not good enough. I was two-tenths behind my teammate.' The pressure you put yourself under is enormous."

Button explained that this vulnerability explains why so many talented drivers ultimately falter. "Mentally, they're just in a really dark place. We think of it as a weakness, so we don't talk about it. That's what amazed me with Lando. The way he's been outspoken over the last couple of years on mental health is really, really good."

Norris, who battled McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and Red Bull's Max Verstappen for the championship, has been refreshingly transparent about his struggles. After clinching the title, he emphasized the vital role of working with a psychologist throughout the season. "When you look at the end of the season, two points were all I needed," Norris told Sky Sports News. "There are plenty of places I could have got more points—and plenty I could have lost more. It's hard to quantify, but having that support made all the difference."

For fans and athletes alike, Norris's honesty—and Button's endorsement—serves as a powerful reminder: true strength lies not in hiding your struggles, but in facing them head-on.