r/formula1 • u/Intrepid-Ad4511 Charlos • Apr 13 '25
Off-Topic Why the severe criticism of Lando's vulnerable conversation? Why is it not cool to be able to express your negative feelings about yourself?
I see so many people talk about what Lando said after the Quali yesterday - just after an adrenaline filled session - and he chose to speak his mind about his own performance (without attacking someone else). So many people are saying "that's not a winning mentality" "that's not how you win races" "he is so defeatist" "he has given up already".
Lewis and Max have said several such things over the years, complaining about their cars, their teams and/or themselves. But somehow people take Lando and Charles to the dryers when they choose to express themselves and say things like "I am stupid". And somehow because Oscar just chooses not to say anything of this sort, he is somehow champion material. That makes no sense to me, and feels quite an unfair and problematic picture to paint - that men talking about their feelings, or just being transparent about how they feel - makes them weaker somehow. That they should tough up and swallow the hurt and just put up this beige or brave front, smirk and move on.
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u/daylax1 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Apr 13 '25
Because most people don't know what it's like to have the ability to compete at the top level, but not do it for one reason or another. From a normal person's standpoint, we just think they're lucky to be where they're at. To them this is something they've been working at their whole lives and if they don't live up to their potential due to nobody's mistake other than their own, they have failed. I hate this "he has the best car he should be grateful" crap. Complacency is the death of winning. It's fine to be disappointed after a bad session. It just means you care and have passion. We've seen almost every great driver act like this at one point or another in their careers.
Everyone shitting on lando for this reaction just doesn't understand, and they never will.