🔗 Share this article

The British racing driver stated he is immensely proud of the manner in which he won his inaugural Formula One drivers' title, emphasizing after a heartfelt victory lap with his team and family that he was pleased to have succeeded "in his own style".

The champion highlighted that he feels he raced fairly and without excessive aggression, a strategy for which he has faced criticism for lacking the much-discussed "ruthless edge". He maintains that winning the title demonstrates such an approach is unnecessary.

Norris wrapped up the championship with a third-place finish at the season finale, edging out his rival from Red Bull by a narrow margin. The Dutch driver took the checkered flag but could not erase the lead Norris held entering the final round.

"This is an aspect that I am most proud of," he commented. "I believe I have just been able to secure it the way I aimed to, which was not by being someone I’m not."

He elaborated, "Choosing not to be as combative as Max or as assertive as other champions might have been in the past, I’m content. I just won it my way – by being a sportsmanlike driver, by trying to be an respectful driver."

A Tense Conclusion

The champion admitted that, although he seemed calm, the closing moments were incredibly tense.

"I was composed until three corners to go, then I started to shake a little bit," he said. "Then I got to see the team after taking the flag is a moment that I’ll never forget."

A Remarkable Comeback

The driver's journey to the title involved a stunning comeback from being 34 points behind of his teammate in August. A DNF in the Dutch Grand Prix became a key turning point.

"I was like: ‘Oh, shoot. I’m quite a long way behind against a pretty freaking fast driver, and I’ve got to step it up,’" Norris explained. "I had to become more myself due to external factors, bringing in more professionals in various fields to fully realize my ability."

Rival Reactions

Max Verstappen: No Regrets

Max Verstappen focused on the good from his and Red Bull’s season, having mounted a comeback from a massive points gap. He believed they had given their all against a papaya car that was often the faster package.

"Yeah, I think so, I have zero regrets about my season," Verstappen stated. "The performance has been impressive. I’ve struggled with this car at times, but I’ve also excelled in it at times."

However, the driver reacted testily when asked about a contentious moment at the Spanish GP where a time punishment lost him valuable points.

"People overlook all the other events that happened," Verstappen snapped. "The title is won over a full season... I have also had a lot of early Christmas presents given to me."

Oscar Piastri: Lessons Learned

The visibly dejected Oscar Piastri, who had led for much of the season, admitted he would learn from the experience.

"Naturally I would have wanted a different ending," he stated. "However I think this year I’ve learned an enormous amount about myself as a driver and off the track... Ultimately there’s a little bit of disappointment but I think I can be very proud."