Jonas LeoSir Jackie Stewart, the revered three-time Formula 1 world champion and a titan of motorsport, offered a definitive appraisal of Lando Norris following the British driver’s inaugural Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship triumph in the 2025 season. Speaking at the prestigious Autosport Awards, an event dedicated to celebrating excellence within motorsport, where the McLaren star was the focal point of accolades, Stewart provided insights into the qualities that elevated Norris to champion status. His commentary underscored a fundamental truth of racing: while superior machinery is crucial, the human element remains paramount.
Stewart’s observations, delivered with the weight of decades of elite racing experience, began by acknowledging the strong foundation Norris enjoyed. "He’s a very stable young man," Stewart stated, highlighting a critical psychological attribute for sustained success in a high-pressure environment like Formula 1. "First of all, he had a very good team and he had a very good technology team, particularly engineering. So the car was good." This recognition of McLaren’s contribution was significant, framing the Woking-based outfit’s resurgence as a key enabler for Norris’s ultimate success. The team’s sustained investment in technical expertise and infrastructure had evidently culminated in providing a chassis and power unit package capable of challenging at the very front of the grid.
However, Stewart was swift to introduce a crucial caveat that resonated with his own philosophy of racing. "It doesn’t matter how good the car is if the man doesn’t get the job done correctly," he asserted, articulating a principle that has defined the careers of many legendary drivers. "He did get it correctly done." This distinction formed the core of Stewart’s praise, shifting the focus from the car’s inherent capabilities to Norris’s exceptional ability to maximise its potential, consistently and under immense pressure. It implied a level of precision, strategic acumen, and raw driving talent that transcended mere equipment advantage.
Lando Norris’s journey to the 2025 World Championship had been a long-anticipated narrative within the sport. Since his debut with McLaren in 2019, the young Briton had consistently demonstrated flashes of brilliance, securing numerous podium finishes and establishing himself as a fan favourite for his engaging personality and aggressive yet controlled driving style. His career trajectory had been marked by steady improvement, learning from seasoned teammates and progressively refining his race craft. Prior to 2025, Norris had accumulated several pole positions and individual race victories, signalling his potential, but the ultimate prize of the drivers’ title had remained elusive. McLaren, too, had been on a multi-year development path, climbing back from challenging periods to consistently compete for podiums and, eventually, race wins. The synergy between Norris’s burgeoning talent and McLaren’s engineering prowess was a storyline that had been building for several seasons, culminating dramatically in 2025.
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The 2025 season itself proved to be a compelling battle for supremacy, marked by intense competition and fluctuating fortunes. McLaren had indeed provided its drivers with a highly competitive package, allowing Norris to consistently challenge for victories from the opening rounds. He showcased remarkable consistency throughout the majority of the calendar, converting a significant number of his pole positions into race wins – a testament to his improved race management and strategic execution. This ability to translate qualifying pace into race day success was a critical evolution in Norris’s performance, reflecting a newfound confidence and ruthless efficiency.
His championship campaign was far from a straightforward procession. Norris faced formidable opposition, most notably from reigning champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing. Verstappen, a known quantity for his relentless pursuit of victory, mounted a significant challenge, particularly in the latter half of the season. Following a mid-season technical upgrade or a strategic shift, Red Bull experienced a surge in performance, allowing Verstappen to close the points gap and push Norris to the absolute limit. This late-season pressure tested Norris’s resolve and skill, forcing him to dig deep and demonstrate the mental fortitude required of a champion. The internal competition from his highly-rated teammate, Oscar Piastri, also contributed to McLaren’s overall strength but added another layer of complexity, demanding Norris to consistently outperform within his own garage.
The championship crescendo arrived at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit. Heading into the final race, Norris held a precarious two-point lead over Verstappen, meaning the title would be decided on the track under the spectacular fireworks display. Under immense pressure, Norris executed what Stewart would later describe as an "excellently safe drive." Avoiding unnecessary risks while maintaining competitive pace, he secured a crucial third-place finish, which was sufficient to clinch the world title by the narrowest of margins. The scene of Norris crossing the finish line, amidst the illuminated backdrop of Yas Marina, marked a historic moment for both the driver and the McLaren team, solidifying their return to the pinnacle of Formula 1.
Reflecting on the entire campaign, Stewart reiterated, "He was very competitive for the whole season. And their staff, and being there as competitive as he is, it’s a good world championship." This summary encapsulated Norris’s consistency and the collective effort of the McLaren team, highlighting that a championship is not merely a collection of individual wins but a sustained demonstration of excellence across an entire season. It speaks to the meticulous preparation, the resilience in adversity, and the unwavering focus required to navigate the complexities of a Formula 1 calendar.
Looking ahead, Formula 1 stands on the precipice of significant change with a comprehensive reset of its technical regulations slated for the 2026 season. These upcoming changes will introduce a revised powertrain philosophy, aiming for a more balanced integration of internal combustion engines with enhanced electric power. This evolution is designed to align with broader sustainability goals while maintaining the sport’s cutting-edge technological appeal.
Sir Jackie Stewart, ever the keen observer of the sport’s evolution, shared his perspective on these impending modifications. "The sport’s better today than it’s ever been in the history of the sport," he remarked, acknowledging Formula 1’s ongoing commitment to improvement and innovation. "So, of course, Formula 1 has always been leading the world in motorsport technology." Stewart’s statement positions the regulatory overhaul within the historical context of F1’s role as a technological vanguard, constantly pushing boundaries in automotive engineering. However, he also tempered expectations regarding the immediate impact, adding, "So the new lifestyle, if you like, of this new year is not something completely new. But how strong it’ll be, we’ll have to wait and see." This cautious optimism reflects the inherent unpredictability of major rule changes, which often reshuffle the competitive order and present new challenges for teams and drivers alike. For Norris and McLaren, the 2026 regulations will represent a fresh test, requiring them to adapt quickly and effectively to defend their newly acquired title.
Lando Norris’s 2025 championship victory, affirmed by a legend of the sport, stands as a testament to the enduring power of driver skill, resilience, and mental fortitude. It underscores that while technology provides the canvas, it is the artist behind the wheel who ultimately paints the masterpiece of a world championship.
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Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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