Lando Norris turning into Method 1 world champion in 2025 will increase the game’s youthful era, based on F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali.
Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was gained by four-time world champion Max Verstappen however Norris secured the third place he wanted to win the drivers’ title for the primary time. The 26-year-old turns into solely the second driver to win the title since Domenicali took on his function with F1 – following Verstappen – and had reward for all three of the title contenders this season.
“It has been superb to reach on the finish of the 12 months with the title nonetheless undecided; it is one thing that’s not taken without any consideration. Should you look again, you see so many issues which have occurred this season that appear not possible,” Domenicali stated. “Earlier than summertime, Oscar Piastri was successful the title, then Lando Norris, then Max was sturdy.
“Congratulations to Lando. He is an incredible character for Method 1. His smile, his method of being knowledgeable driver – he’s crucial, he is distinctive and he’ll give an enormous increase of power to the championship, to the youthful era.
“However let me say that at present I noticed two different nice drivers in Oscar and Max with a special face, a mature face. They each did unbelievable seasons, and that is why the title battle got here right here proper as much as the tip. So, simply implausible.”
Domenicali was additionally eager to congratulate McLaren crew principal Andrea Stella – who he labored with at Ferrari – and McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, for the turnaround over the previous three seasons that has led to the crew turning into title winners once more.
“I’ve recognized Andrea and we’ve been buddies for a lot of, a few years – and I do know what was the stress,” he stated. “After I noticed him, I stated, ‘Hear, simply get pleasure from, you deserve it, and on the finish of the day, you need to be pleased with what you could have achieved.’ So, as all the time, life is giving again what you deserve.
“And likewise, Zak Brown was very sturdy in taking the crew from a really dangerous second; I keep in mind three years in the past once they had been final on the grid. However he stayed centered, stored the path, understood the wants of the crew, introduced in the important thing folks – and as all the time, the crew is crucial factor.
“Now we’ve got a McLaren crew that’s again to the usual of many, a few years in the past. And you too can see how in style McLaren are with the followers; you see papaya colours rather more round, and all this stuff had been doable due to Zak’s imaginative and prescient. So I actually thank him for that – and I congratulate him too.”
