LANDO NORRIS has banned pizza in an attempt to get in shape for the new F1 season.
The Brit, 21, is going into his third season in F1 alongside a new team-mate in Daniel Ricciardo.
Ricciardo and Norris launch this season’s McLaren F1 car earlier this weekCredit: PA:Press Association
Norris admits there is more pressure on him to step up this yearCredit: Splash News
Norris has promised a more mature approach to his racing this season and says he has been struggling for motivation to go to the gym.
But he thinks he has finally cracked it after ditching the deep-pans.
Speaking at the launch of this year’s McLaren F1 car, he said: “I have tried to be more strict with certain things, whether that is with food and trying not to have a pizza as often.
“I can still have a little treat now and then, but it is also the physical side of it, too. Trying to do more in the gym because I struggle with that part of it.
“I know I am in Formula One and I am in a very privileged position, but that doesn’t matter because I can still struggle to want to go out on a run or go into the gym and lift weights.
“I struggle to motivate myself, so I have tried more things and pushed myself through moments that I hate because I know that good things come of it.
“I am better prepared physically because of it. I am trying to think outside the box and dedicating more time to work out what is good for me and push myself to the next level.
“A lot of it is a mental game. I have tried to understand myself a bit more to push myself to the next level.”
Norris is relishing going up against his new team-mate after Ricciardo joined from Renault as Carlos Sainz moved to Ferrari.
He added: “I don’t think the arrival of Daniel makes it any harder. I worked with Carlos and he is an extremely good driver and there are things Carlos is going to be better at than Daniel and vice-versa.
“I don’t believe Daniel is a big step above anything that Carlos has achieved so it doesn’t change much for me.
“There is more pressure on him because he has been in Formula One for longer and he has to come in and perform very well and that is what he is here to do with his experience.
“I am in that earlier phase of my career. I still need to perform very well. I am in my third year and there are no excuses for me anymore.
“It is an opportunity to learn from someone different and with more experience. I think it is harder for someone to go against a much younger driver than it is for a younger driver going up against someone with more experience.
“I have more responsibility now than the past few years. There is more on me now to lead the team and areas we can improve.
“In many ways it is going to be the hardest season but I am hoping the best season, too.
“The hardest because I am the guy with the experience at McLaren so I need to take on that role and show how it is done and lead the team in the right direction.
“It is a big opportunity for me to take up that lead and I will work very hard on.”
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Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
