Multiple F1 drivers, including title contenders Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri, have extended their congratulations to Lando Norris and shared their thoughts on the Brit coming out on top in the three-way battle for the drivers’ championship at the Abu Dhabi GP on Sunday.
Starting the title-deciding race from the front row of the grid, Norris completed his mission of finishing in the top three to secure the 2025 title at the Yas Marina Circuit. He soaked up the pressure of a nervy season finale and beat a resurgent Verstappen by 2 points and teammate Piastri by 13.
Norris has now etched his name into the F1 history books as the 35th driver to claim the world championship. Scoring 7 pole positions, 7 wins, and 18 podiums over the course of the 2025 campaign, he also ended McLaren’s 17-year dry spell and became their eighth world champion.
Runner-up Verstappen advises Norris to enjoy the moment
In spite of missing out on a fifth straight F1 drivers’ championship by 2 points, Verstappen was rather gracious in defeat. Acknowledging the emotional aspect of winning one’s first title after decades of hard work, he hoped that Norris and his loved ones would come together and relish his moment of glory.
Speaking in the post-Abu Dhabi GP press conference, the Dutchman also highlighted the outstanding turnaround McLaren have had in the past couple of years to seal both championships in 2025 and remarked how it’s imperative that the Woking-based squad revel in their success.
“Winning your first title is something that I think we all dreamt of when you get into the sport. You work for that since you’re a little kid. It’s what you dream of. So, when you win your first title, this is very emotional. And, yeah, I hope for Lando [Norris] as well. You know, I saw a lot of his family is here, so it’s important to enjoy this a lot as well tonight.
“Also, with his team. I think, again, that’s another story where it showed that even when you have tough years, when you keep working hard, you keep adding good people to the team, you can overcome all of those things, and you can become very successful again. And, yeah, they had an incredible season together, so it’s important that they enjoy it.”
Teammate Piastri calls Norris “a deserving champion”
Noting how they have pushed each other since 2023 to become better drivers, Piastri recognised following his P2 finish at the Abu Dhabi GP that Norris has been a tough opponent this season.
Although he surmised that all three title contenders had produced strong seasons, the Australian particularly emphasised how handling the intra-team rivalry and navigating through the highs and lows of their respective campaigns were challenging for both McLaren drivers. In the end, he acknowledged that Norris was worthy of lifting the coveted trophy.
“I think [Norris is] a very deserving winner. I know that every weekend I go on track, it’s going to be tough. And I think we’ve pushed each other through the last three years. I think especially this season has been tighter than ever.
“So, yeah, I think he’s had a great season. Probably all three of us, but obviously, myself and Lando in the same team, in the same car, have had our ups and downs at different moments. Ultimately, I think he’s had a good season and [is] a deserving champion.”
Ferrari drivers happy for Norris
Despite falling short of the podium in Sunday’s Abu Dhabi GP, Charles Leclerc was extremely delighted that Norris had achieved his lifelong dream of securing an F1 drivers’ title. Besides, he explained that special moments like these, when a driver is unfeignedly emotional, further intensify his love for the sport.
Speaking in the print media pen after the race, the Monégasque also proclaimed that he hopes to contend for the title in the upcoming season and go toe-to-toe with the newly crowned champion.
“I think that’s why I love sport so much; [it] is the emotions. No matter how much you want to beat your opponents, to see someone’s face as happy as Lando’s is something that is beautiful to see.
“Again, it’s the ultimate dream for every one of us on this grid, and he’s been fulfilling it this year, and I’m very happy for him.
“He deserves it, and now it’s up to me to keep chasing it and hopefully make his life harder next year.”
Lewis Hamilton, who had won his first world championship with McLaren in 2008, expressed his joy and commended his fellow countryman for mounting an excellent campaign. Revealing how he had advised Norris ahead of the race weekend, the 40-year-old also intimated that a closely matched title fight that goes down to the wire bodes well for F1’s reputation and popularity.
“I’m really, really happy for him. He did such a great job this season.
“I told him going into the weekend just to ‘continue doing what you’ve been doing. Don’t change it. Go into the weekend and just take it one corner at a time’.
“Great to see another Brit win a championship. Awesome for the sport. It went right down to the last race.”
Albon glad that Norris has proved his critics wrong
Underscoring how Norris successfully rose to the challenge and silenced his critics at the Abu Dhabi GP, Alex Albon stated that it was fantastic to see the 26-year-old share his emotional reaction to winning his maiden world championship with the F1 community worldwide.
Noting how McLaren and specifically Norris had suffered plenty of misfortunes during the season, the Williams driver added that this momentous step forward would take a weight off the Brit’s shoulders.
“Yeah, very happy for him. It’s great to see him showing his emotions on the world stage.
“I think he answered a lot of critics and I feel like he took a step. At the end of the year, he rose under the pressure and he deserves every moment of this.
“He had quite a lot of bad luck actually, both McLarens but particularly Lando. He’s done it in great style and I’m sure that’s a lot of pressure off his shoulders.”
Sainz believes Norris is breaking stereotypes
Carlos Sainz paid a heartfelt tribute to Norris in the print media pen after his former McLaren teammate emerged victorious in the three-way title fight at the Abu Dhabi GP. He claimed that the 11-time race winner wears his heart on his sleeve and that he challenges the stereotypical notion of how an F1 world champion should conduct himself on and off the track.
Highlighting how impressive he is as a driver, the Spaniard also implied that the waves of criticism Norris has faced in recent years for his on-track struggles have been unwarranted. Additionally, he revealed that he was pleased to witness the Glastonbury native stick true to his values and win the title his own way.
“Yeah, honestly, very happy for him. I think he’s a great F1 driver. I think unbelievably fast.
“More than anything, happy for him as a person because I think he’s a driver that doesn’t follow the typical stereotype of world champion.
“I think he’s always stayed very true to himself, very honest, very open about his own struggles and he’s just proven to everyone you can also be world champion being that good guy or that open nice guy, and you don’t need to be ruthless or bad-ass to show to everyone that you can be world champion.
“With his particular way of going about life and things, as much as he’s got criticised a lot during the last few years for being how he is, he’s world champion and everyone can keep dreaming about being F1 world champion while he goes about his own way and does things his own way.
“So I’m extremely happy for him because he must have felt a lot of pressure over the last few weekends and he managed to pull it off.”
Alonso and Russell express their happiness for Norris
Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso also congratulated Norris on fulfilling his biggest dreams as an F1 driver and added that the deserving 26-year-old should savour the moment.
“Congratulations to him. He has to enjoy now.
“You dream to become a Formula 1 driver eventually and then to win the championship. That day [has] arrived for him, and I hope he enjoys it and well deserved.”
George Russell, who had convincingly defeated Norris to win the F2 championship in 2018, said that he was elated for his compatriot. Moreover, he shared his insights into how feelings of envy gradually transform into understanding and admiration as the drivers grow older and come to terms with the cutthroat and uncertain nature of the sport.
Insisting that Norris must not have been confident about securing his first F1 drivers’ championship ahead of the season, Russell also lauded the McLaren driver for the performances he delivered in the latter half of 2025 and labelled him as a worthy winner.
“No, I’m really happy for him. Honestly, maybe when I was a bit younger and not as mature I think you’d be envious of a rival and fellow countryman to win, but honestly I think the older we get you recognise how difficult it is to sustain a certain level in this sport. We never know when our opportunity was going to come.
“I’m sure he wasn’t aware his chance was going to be this year. And this second half of the year especially, he’s driven really incredibly. So I’m happy for him, and I think he deserves it.”
Hülkenberg, Ocon, and Gasly insist all three contenders were worthy
Nico Hülkenberg maintained how any of the three title contenders lifting the championship trophy would’ve generated applause. Simultaneously, he hailed Norris for proving his mettle against a four-time world champion and stated that the Brit had earned the title on merit.
“Worthy world champion, congratulations. It’s obviously very special, first time world champion. Happy for him.
“I think he deserves it. All of them, I think, deserved it, but obviously there can be only one winner.
“He had to earn it the hard way though. Really fighting it out against THE Max Verstappen until the end. So fair play and respect to him.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Esteban Ocon additionally called attention to the superb spectacle the Abu Dhabi GP had produced and admitted that he was proud of Norris.
“Yeah, amazing three-way battle. I think they all deserve a lot this year. They were fighting until the end. We were an amazing show for that last race.
“There has to be only one champion, and well done to Lando. I think he definitely deserves what he gets today, and I’m super proud of him.”
Pierre Gasly was also of the opinion that none of the top three competitors were undeserving. Acknowledging that Norris had reached a huge milestone on Sunday, he furthermore noted how thrilling it was to have a championship settled by such a small margin.
“Yeah, it was a tough battle. I think all three kind of deserve to be up there. But you need one champion; there’s always only one champion.
“I think for Formula 1 it’s pretty incredible to have a title decided by two points. It’s pretty amazing for the sport and for all the fans out there.
“In the end, it’s a massive moment for his career. Big congratulations to Lando.”
