EXCLUSIVE: McLaren driver gives exclusive insight into Norris’ playing game

Formula 1 drivers in the modern era are bigger celebrities than ever before.

Historically, seeing one of the F1 racers outside of a TV broadcast usually meant a botched commercial or talk show interview.

Netflix’s Live Stream and the rise of social media have changed that to bring all 20 drivers into fans’ homes, but are we seeing them for real?

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are some of the sport’s youngest stars, and the McLaren duo are ‘like everyone else’ even when the cameras aren’t there, according to another rising star.

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F1 drivers are ‘only human’

Bustamante joined McLaren

Bianca Bustamante, who entered the McLaren F1 Academy, joined the team at the end of 2023 and, in an exclusive interview with GPFans, revealed, “They are like everyone else.

“As you see them on social networks… as you see them on TV… they are only human.

“It’s always so funny to see high performing athletes joking around, playing around, and living in the moment.

“It makes you realize that in the end, we’re under a lot of pressure, but also, in hindsight, we’re living the dream.

“It’s a dream for me to be signed by McLaren, a dream for everyone to be in the F1 Academy or to be in F1.

“So, no matter how you plan on the outcome or on the end goal, it’s always about how good the journey is, and it’s so refreshing to see.”

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McLaren’s approach to mental health

Bustamante explained that his training as part of McLaren’s young driver program allows him to spend time with F1 drivers, saying, “We’re both mentally and physically trained.

“I have the same mental coach as Lando, so this allows me to be on the same track as the other drivers, with this much faster development.

“Mindfulness is everything. It’s the name of the game.

“You will face many difficulties, many challenges, but it always depends on how you face them, how you overcome them, and how you keep an integrated character, which makes the most difference.

“Learning from all of that is a great opportunity.”

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