Winning a first World Championship is a life-changing event, and for Lando Norris, it has brought a new level of self-reflection. In a series of interviews following his victory at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Norris has been open about the friction he caused with other drivers during his rise to the top. He admitted to saying “stupid things” about Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton that do not reflect his true feelings. This matters because it marks a shift in his public image from a young challenger to a mature leader. For fans and the business of racing, it shows that the pressures of a title fight can push even the most lighthearted athletes into uncomfortable territory
Comments made in the heat of the moment
The comments Norris refers to often happened during the high-pressure moments after a race. One specific instance involved Lewis Hamilton in a “cooldown room,” where Norris made a remark about Hamilton’s past car performance. He also had a public back-and-forth with Max Verstappen late in 2025, dismissing some of Verstappen’s opinions as “nonsense.” Now that the trophy is in his hands, Norris says these outbursts were part of him being genuine but were still mistakes.
This honest look at his own behavior is rare in professional sports. Usually, champions try to maintain an image of being perfect or untouchable. By admitting he was wrong, Norris is actually making himself more relatable to the average person. It shows that he understands the weight of his words now that he is the face of the sport. For the business of F1, this kind of transparency helps build a stronger connection with a younger audience that values authenticity over a polished script.
How the title was won
The 2025 season was a massive test of endurance for Norris. He had to overcome a 34-point deficit against his own teammate, Oscar Piastri, while also fending off a late-season charge from Max Verstappen. In the end, Norris won the championship by only two points. This narrow margin explains why the environment was so tense. When every single point matters, any comment from a rival can feel like a personal attack.
Norris emphasized that he wanted to win the title “his way,” which meant staying true to himself rather than trying to act like a typical aggressive champion. This decision to remain a “team player” at McLaren, despite the intra-team battle with Piastri, was criticized by some as being too soft. However, the final result proved his strategy worked. His current reflection is a way of closing that chapter. He is telling the world that while he made mistakes under pressure, he is proud of the way he handled the competition on the track.
Aligning with his championship peers
One of the most significant parts of this reflection is his praise for Lewis Hamilton. Despite their past “spiky” moments, Norris has called Hamilton “probably the best of all time” and expressed a desire to have more on-track battles with him in 2026. This is a smart move for his career. By showing respect to the established legends, he is solidifying his place among them.
For the 2026 season, the rules for the cars and engines are changing completely. This “reset” means that being the fastest driver in 2025 does not guarantee success in 2026. By building better relationships with rivals like Verstappen and Hamilton, Norris is creating a more stable environment for himself. It allows him to focus entirely on the technical challenges of the new cars instead of being distracted by social media drama or paddock rumors.
