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The British racing driver stated he is deeply satisfied of the manner in which he clinched his first-ever Formula One world championship, emphasizing after emotional celebrations with his McLaren squad and family that he was pleased to have succeeded "his way".

Norris underscored that he feels he raced fairly and without being overly forceful, a philosophy for which he has faced criticism for not displaying the often-praised "killer instinct". He maintains that securing the title demonstrates such an approach is unnecessary.

The 26-year-old wrapped up the championship with a P3 finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, beating Red Bull's Max Verstappen by a narrow margin. Verstappen won the race but could not overcome the lead the McLaren driver held entering the final round.

"This is an aspect that makes me most proud," Norris said. "I believe I have just been able to secure it the way I aimed to, which was not by being someone I’m not."

Norris added, "Choosing not to be as combative as Max or as assertive as other champions might have been in the past, I’m happy. I just did it my style – by being a sportsmanlike driver, by trying to be an honest driver."

A Tense Conclusion

Norris also conceded that, although he seemed calm, the final laps were incredibly tense.

"I was composed until the very end, then I started to shake a bit," he said. "Seeing the team when I crossed the line is a moment that I’ll always remember."

A Remarkable Comeback

The driver's journey to the championship involved a remarkable recovery from being 34 points behind of then-leader Oscar Piastri in August. A mechanical failure in Zandvoort became a key turning point.

"I thought: ‘Oh no. I’m quite a long way behind against a pretty freaking fast driver, and I’ve got to raise my game,’" Norris explained. "I got to be more myself due to external factors, bringing in more experts in various fields to fully realize my ability."

Competitors' Responses

Max Verstappen: No Regrets

The reigning champion focused on the good from his and Red Bull’s season, having mounted a comeback from a 104‑point deficit. Verstappen felt they had given their all against a papaya car that was often the faster package.

"Yes, absolutely, I have no regrets about my season," he said. "The performance has been strong. I’ve struggled with this car at times, but I’ve also excelled in it at times."

Yet, the Dutchman responded tersely when asked about a contentious moment at the Barcelona race where a time punishment cost him critical points.

"People overlook all the other events that happened," he retorted. "The title is won over a full season... I have also had a lot of early Christmas presents given to me."

Oscar Piastri: Lessons Learned

A clearly disappointed Oscar Piastri, who was in front for much of the season, admitted he would emerge stronger the experience.

"Naturally I would have wanted a different ending," he stated. "But I think this year I’ve learned an enormous amount about myself behind the wheel and off the track... Ultimately there’s a little bit of disappointment but I think I can be extremely pleased."