Lando Norris used some of his first media duties as Formula 1 World Champion to express regret at past comments that he directed at Lewis Hamilton.
The Brit managed to hold on to his title advantage at the final round in Abu Dhabi to take the title by just two points from Max Verstappen, after a titanic 24-race season.
Norris had been languishing in the wheeltracks of team-mate Oscar Piastri for the first two-thirds of the season before he and Verstappen mounted stunning comebacks.
But the McLaren driver’s tally over Verstappen eventually told, duly taking the title for the first time and the right to bear #1 on his MCL40 in 2026.
Norris spoke after the race at the Yas Marina Circuit about his pleasure in winning the title “my way,” and staying true to himself.
In doing so, he revealed his remorse at some of the more ‘foot in mouth’ moments he has caused over his career, two of which were centred around seven-time World Champion Hamilton.
“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,” Norris told media including Motorsport Week. “Some things I regret and I wish I could take back and never have come out my mouth.
“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 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. I dreamed of today, and I’ve managed to achieve one of seven, comparing to him.
“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?’
“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.”
The contentious moments between Norris and Hamilton
Norris’ first public comments about Hamilton were in the aftermath of the now-Ferrari driver’s record-equalling seventh title win in 2020.
Hamilton confirmed his retention of the title at the Turkish Grand Prix in the Covid-hit campaign that was only Norris’ second in F1.
Afterwards, Norris said: “I’m just happy for him [Hamilton], nothing more. It doesn’t mean anything to me, really. He’s in a car which should win every race, basically.
“He has to beat one or two other drivers, that’s it. Fair play to him, he’s still doing the job he has to do.”
And just last year, the pair were involved in a tense exchange in the cooldown room at the Hungaroring, in which Norris and Hamilton finished second and third respectively.
With Piastri heading a papaya 1-2 in the race – the Aussie’s first Grand Prix victory – Hamilton commented: “Woo, you guys are fast!” in reference to the MCL38, the eventual Constructors’ Championship-winning challenger.
“You had a fast car seven years ago,” Norris replied, to which a baffled Hamilton countered: “Seven years ago? That’s a long time, were you here seven years ago?”
“You know, you had a quick car. You made the most of it and now it’s us!” Norris continued.
“I wasn’t complaining, I was just complimenting you on your car,” Hamilton said, drawing a line under the conversation.
With career trajectories coming at different times, there has been little direct on-track confrontation between the two in Norris’ seven seasons in F1.
But if Hamilton is afforded a faster Ferrari in 2026, then it may be time to see the two face each other with equilibrium in Norris’ defence of the title.
READ MORE – Why Fred Vasseur sees ‘nothing magic’ in Lewis Hamilton’s request for Ferrari changes
Discussion about this post