Lando Norris has reflected that his ability to push mental health issues “means more than winning a world championship”.

Norris has been a huge advocate for mental health issues, frequently sharing his own experiences and exposing a more vulnerable side than most F1 drivers are willing to do.

The reigning world champion this week won the World Breakthrough of the Year prize at the Laureus awards.

Speaking to The Guardian, Norris said that the award was more meaningful due to Laureus’ work in disadvantaged communities, "including mental health. When I was younger I never knew I’d have the platform to speak about [mental health].

“So to realise the amount I can help other people is special. In the longer term that means more than winning a world championship.”

A common mental health issue suffered by Norris is imposter syndrome – the feeling that you are not good enough or do not deserve to be in a particular position – which alongside depression, caused the Briton serious problems during his rookie year.

“There were lots of doubts: ‘Do I deserve to be here? Why am I not as good as these people?’ You feel you’re wasting people’s time … I struggled a lot.”

Due to his own struggles, Norris has made a concerted effort to engage with McLaren personnel, including the simple act of ordering personalised water bottles for 800 crew members, an act which came from a desire to “make my team happy”.

Speaking to F1.com previously, Norris said: “I think because I’m very…. as much as you see me laughing on camera and all those things, I’m still a very reserved person. 

“I like to keep to myself, I’m very quiet 95% of the time, and I like doing my own things and thinking in my own head. I’m an introvert – massively. Because of being introverted, I just grew up always being very self-conscious of everything.”