Jonas Leo
Speaking to Sky Sports in the immediate aftermath of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Norris secured his maiden Drivers’ Championship, Domenicali articulated his assessment of the McLaren driver’s character. "Very positive, young, energetic, with this personality that is different from the others," Domenicali observed, emphasizing the distinctiveness Norris brings to the sport. He continued, "So, I think that if you’re going to do that, you need to keep one thing that I always said to [him], keep smiling. Keep smiling. You need to have positive energy."
Domenicali further elaborated on the broader expectations placed upon Formula 1 drivers, particularly champions. "Sometimes they are young, so they are doing an incredible job. They are a role model for a lot of people. So, they need to remember that they are a unique talent. But I always tell [him], no, no secret." This advice from the sport’s chief executive extends beyond mere sentiment, serving as a guiding principle for navigating the intense scrutiny and global demands that come with holding the Formula 1 title.
The 2025 Formula 1 season proved to be a crucible for Norris, testing his mettle against both internal and external adversaries. His journey to the championship was far from straightforward, marked by early-season inconsistencies and a fierce internal rivalry with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. The initial phase of the championship saw Norris making uncharacteristic errors, allowing Piastri, who demonstrated remarkable consistency and pace, to establish a significant lead in the drivers’ standings by the mid-point of the year. This internal battle, while pushing both drivers, added a layer of complexity to McLaren’s championship aspirations.
As the season progressed into its latter stages, the championship narrative intensified with a formidable late surge from Red Bull Racing’s formidable three-time world champion, Max Verstappen. Verstappen, renowned for his relentless pursuit of victory, mounted a potent challenge, narrowing the points gap with a string of dominant performances. This created a high-stakes scenario where Norris found himself under immense pressure from both his teammate and the sport’s most dominant figure of recent years. The mental toll of such a championship bid was palpable, requiring a profound level of resilience and strategic execution.
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The championship decider in Abu Dhabi saw Norris enter the race with a slender points advantage. A tactical and composed drive saw him finish third, crucially two points ahead of Verstappen, who pushed until the final lap. This result was sufficient to clinch the coveted title, marking a historic moment for both Norris and McLaren. It represented McLaren’s first Drivers’ Championship since Lewis Hamilton’s triumph in 2008, signifying a powerful return to the pinnacle of motorsport for the Woking-based outfit. Norris’s 2025 campaign ultimately concluded with a total of four victories, eight podium finishes, and three pole positions, showcasing a blend of raw speed and developing race craft. McLaren, propelled by the consistent performances of both Norris and Piastri, also secured second place in the Constructors’ Championship, a testament to the team’s significant technical advancements.
Reflecting on his challenging season and the personal growth required to secure the championship, Norris offered candid insights during an interview with Sky Sports F1. "The first season was very tough, and I’m sure even tougher for others," he acknowledged, alluding to the steep learning curve inherent in Formula 1. He credited his team for providing a competitive machine: "The team have given me an incredible car this year that has made my life very easy at times."
However, Norris was quick to highlight the significant influence of his teammate, Oscar Piastri, in sharpening his own performance. "At times I struggled against Oscar, who has done an incredible job," he admitted. "I’m glad I had Oscar the last three years, even though he’s still a lot newer to it than me. I learned a lot from him and he showed me up many times." This acknowledgement underscores a crucial aspect of high-level motorsport: the relentless internal competition that often serves as a catalyst for individual improvement. Norris elaborated on Piastri’s impact: "I managed to learn a lot from Oscar and I wouldn’t be the driver I am today without that, also with Carlos [Sainz] and Daniel [Ricciardo], but Oscar has made me dig even deeper than I ever have before because by the mid-point of the season, he was performing better than I was and doing a better job consistently." This period of intense competition with Piastri proved instrumental in forcing Norris to re-evaluate and refine his approach, both on and off the track.
A pivotal turning point in Norris’s season, and indeed his championship bid, came during the traditional summer break. Following a particularly challenging weekend at Zandvoort, where his performance fell short of expectations, Norris consciously used the hiatus to recalibrate. "After Zandvoort, it was tough. But I had a good break and did everything I needed to," he revealed. This period was not merely about physical rest but involved a concerted effort towards mental and personal development. "That’s not just driving better on track, there’s a lot of other things that go on in the background that I had to do personally to make myself better and more resilient, to get more out of myself – whether that’s the delta lap time, little things that no one will know for years. That’s all part of the two points [I won by]."
This deep dive into self-improvement encompassed various aspects, from enhanced physical conditioning tailored for late-season endurance to refined mental preparation techniques. It included detailed data analysis, simulator work focused on specific weaknesses, and possibly even working with sports psychologists to fortify his mental resilience under pressure. The marginal gains achieved through these comprehensive efforts ultimately proved decisive in a championship battle decided by the narrowest of margins. Norris’s ability to withstand the "mental torture" of a late-season charge from a formidable rival like Verstappen, and to deliver under immense pressure in Abu Dhabi, is a testament to this profound personal transformation.
As Lando Norris steps into his role as a Formula 1 world champion, Domenicali’s advice to "keep smiling" encapsulates not just an emotional state, but a philosophy of maintaining perspective, positive energy, and approachability. This guidance will be crucial as Norris navigates the increased media attention, fan expectations, and the relentless competitive landscape that awaits him in subsequent seasons, solidifying his position not just as a champion driver, but as a global ambassador for the sport. The 2026 season promises to be a new chapter, with Norris entering as the reigning champion, ready to defend his title and further cement his legacy in Formula 1 history.
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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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