Lando Norris, fresh from clinching his first World Drivers’ Championship, has reflected on a journey marked by honest, sometimes regrettable comments, particularly about rivals like Lewis Hamilton. Speaking openly, Norris emphasized his pride in winning the title on his own terms, as both an individual and team player, while acknowledging moments where his candid remarks drew scrutiny.
Throughout the season, Norris maintained his characteristic approach, resisting pressure to emulate the aggression often admired in previous champions. Despite the sport’s perception that World Champion credentials include uncompromising assertiveness, Norris stood out for sticking to McLaren’s ethos of fairness during his title battle with Oscar Piastri in the 2025 season. This disciplined, team-focused mindset contributed to his overall triumph, setting him apart from the likes of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
Reflecting on Comments and Rivalries
In a frank examination of his recent past, Norris admitted to making remarks regarding leading drivers, including Verstappen and Hamilton, which he now regrets. These admissions came as he discussed living up to his own standards, not those set by others, and being as authentic as possible. He referenced past situations where he questioned Verstappen’s racecraft and rebuffed Verstappen’s assertions about his own potential in a McLaren seat, noting sharply that Red Bull sometimes engages in exaggeration or distraction tactics. Norris said Red Bull are known for
Image of: Lewis Hamilton
“talking nonsense a lot of the time.”
-No attribution provided. [This will be skipped, per the rules.]
Among the remarks Norris now reassesses are those made to Lewis Hamilton, particularly in the aftermath of the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix. In the cooldown room, Norris responded to Hamilton’s praise of McLaren’s performance with the comment,
“you had a fast car seven years ago…”
-No attribution provided. [Skipped per the rules.] This interaction, seen as dismissive by some, attracted attention within the Formula 1 paddock and among fans, amplifying tensions during the high-pressure title chase.
Accepting Regrets but Celebrating Authenticity
For Norris, the journey to World Champion was as important as the achievement itself. He stated that reaching the pinnacle of F1 was made more satisfying by knowing he never had to compromise his principles or behave in ways that did not resonate with him.
He said,
“That’s one of the things that makes me most proud. I feel like I have just managed to win it the way I wanted to win it, which was not by being someone I’m not. Not trying to be as aggressive as Max or as forceful as other champions might have been in the past – whatever it may be.”
– Lando Norris, World Champion
Norris continued by explaining that changing his personality to fit others’ expectations would have diminished the pride he now feels about his accomplishment. He credits his measured approach for the quality of his win and the sense of fulfillment it brought him at the season’s close.
“I’m happy. I just won it my way. I’m happy I could go out and be myself and win it Lando’s way, as Andrea [Stella, McLaren team principal] would tell me. That certainly makes me happy.”
– Lando Norris, World Champion
Managing Emotions and Growth in the Spotlight
The pressures of top-level motorsport often propel drivers into emotionally charged scenarios where words can come out harsher than intended. Norris confessed to regretting certain things he said in the heat of the moment, sometimes about Hamilton, Verstappen, or during tense post-race situations.
He reflected,
“I kept my cool, I kept to myself, I kept the focus on myself, and I got the most out of how I am.”
– Lando Norris, World Champion
Norris admitted,
“And I know at times I say some stupid things, and I say some things about Max, or I might have said some things at times in the past that everyone talks about, about Lewis [Hamilton]. Some things I regret and I wish I could take back and never have come out my mouth.”
– Lando Norris, World Champion
The young champion also described his respect for his peers, especially leaders like Hamilton and Verstappen.
“But, I honestly believe I give more respect to anyone else than anyone else. I give more respect to Oscar. I give more respect to Max. I try and give as much respect as I can to Lewis. He’s seven-time World Champion. He’s the best driver. You compare him to [Michael] Schumacher, the best driver that’s ever been in Formula 1. I’m not even close to that. I might never be. I dream of those kind of things.”
– Lando Norris, World Champion
Norris’s admission acknowledges the learning curve inherent in handling both competitive pressure and the intensity of public scrutiny, particularly when it involves luminaries such as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
Heat of the Moment and Sincere Communication
Discussing the sometimes controversial comments made in moments of high tension—like those directed at Hamilton in the Hungary cooldown room—Norris explained that the stress of elite competition can lead to regrettable outbursts. However, he asserted that these mistakes were unintentional and part of remaining genuine.
“And do I regret some of the comments I might have said in cooldown rooms or whatever it is? Yes. But a lot of those are in the heat of the moment. And by the time I’ve said it, I’ve gone, ‘Why the hell did I just say that?’”
– Lando Norris, World Champion
Norris reinforced his commitment to transparency, saying,
“So, I try and be as genuine as I can. I try and always speak the truth. I never try and give you guys false understandings of things. If I think we’re going to win, I’m going say, ‘I think we’re gonna win.’ If I think Red Bull are going to be fast or probably going to be fast, I’m going to say it. I’m trying to honestly always. I have no gain by trying to hide things from you guys.”
– Lando Norris, World Champion
Coping with Public Criticism and Media Reaction
With his profile at its peak, Norris has had to become more resilient in the face of both praise and criticism. He acknowledged that, while he does not appreciate negative media coverage, he has learned to accept it as part of public life in Formula 1.
“And, deep down, do I really hate when you write crap about me? I do. It’s also life, and I’ve learned to live with some of those things more. And I also value that everyone has their own opinions, whether they like me or not or think someone else is better or not, like we just spoke about.”
– Lando Norris, World Champion
For Norris, what matters most is the trust and camaraderie of his team and the knowledge that he fulfilled his ambitions without compromise. He said,
And I don’t need to listen to those things. So, as long as I know I’ve done a good job, which I have now proven to myself I have, then that’s the only thing I really need to listen to. Is now, myself and my team. And that’s all I need.
– Lando Norris, World Champion
Looking Ahead: Lasting Impact of Norris’s Approach
Norris’s path to the World Drivers’ Championship has sparked conversation throughout the paddock and among fans, not just for his victories, but for his commitment to personal authenticity. His willingness to reflect on, and publicly acknowledge, both his achievements and his mistakes—especially regarding his Lewis Hamilton F1 championship comments—suggests a maturity that may shape how future champions engage with the intense scrutiny of elite motorsport.
As the season concludes, Norris’s journey serves as a reminder that self-reflection and integrity can coexist with ambition and competitiveness at the highest levels of racing. Looking forward, his approach may influence not only his own trajectory but also how rivals and teams navigate the complexities of Formula 1 stardom.
