British McLaren driver Lando Norris, who was crowned world champion the day before yesterday in the capital, Abu Dhabi, by coming third in the Etihad Airways Grand Prix, the finale of the Formula 1 racing season, confirmed that the title “came his way,” as he described it, and that he derived the greatest amount of satisfaction from making the people closest to him happy.
At Yas Marina Circuit, Norris won the world champion title for the first time in his career, with a total of 423 points, two points ahead of the world champion for the past four seasons, the Dutchman Max Verstappen, and 13 points ahead of his teammate, the Australian Oscar Piastri.
Norris has faced severe criticism throughout his career, due to his lack of aggression on the track, especially in his intense battles, last and current seasons, against Dutchman Max Verstappen.
Norris admitted, in press statements following the coronation ceremony, that: “There were moments when I could have taken a more aggressive approach, but I feel satisfied because I remained true to myself and my style that led me to win the world championship.”
He explained: “The way I won is one of the things that makes me feel proud, that I succeeded in winning in my own way and style, and not by being someone I am not, such as trying to be aggressive like Max, or strong as all champions might have been in the past, whatever that may be.”
He added: “I am happy that I won in my own way, and I am happy that I went out and was myself and won (in Lando’s style and method), as the team manager, Andrea Stella, tells me.”
He concluded: “My victory in last year’s race at the Yas Marina Circuit strengthened my belief that I am able this season to achieve the dream I aspire to, to succeed in returning to the final round here in Abu Dhabi, and achieve the glory I aspired to and win the title of World Champion.”
A natural hero
The current Williams driver, Spanish Carlos Sainz, congratulated his former McLaren colleague, Briton Lando Norris, for clinching the World Drivers’ Champion title for the first time in his career.
Sainz, who accompanied Norris at McLaren between 2017 and 2019, said: “I am very happy with what Norris has achieved. He is a fast driver, and he always has his own way of dealing with life. Despite being subjected to a lot of criticism in the past few years, as he always tries to be himself, he has now proven to everyone that he is a world champion.”
He explained: “Norris does not follow a traditional pattern. He is honest with himself, very open about his own struggles, and has proven to everyone that he can, without changing the style for which he is famous, be a world champion, and that the driver does not need to be cruel or evil to achieve this dream.”
Verstappen is unrepentant
The Dutch world champion, Max Verstappen, revealed that he does not regret the way he lost the world champion title, describing the 2025 season as the best in his career.
Verstappen said in press statements: “I feel better than I did 12 months ago when I won the World Championship title for the fourth consecutive season.”
He explained: “I have no regrets about the 2025 season, which I consider the best in my career, despite losing the title by only two points to Lando Norris.”
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