New F1 world champion Lando Norris regrets some of the things he’s said about his rivals previously, especially Lewis Hamilton.

Lando Norris admits he regrets some comments he’s made in the past and wishes he’d never played down Lewis Hamilton’s success. The McLaren driver put himself in hot water in 2020 after seven-time world champion Hamilton broke Michael Schumacher’s record for the most wins in Formula One history with his 92nd race victory. Back then, Norris said in response: “He’s in a car which should win every race, basically. He has to beat one or two other drivers, that’s it.” But five years on, after winning his first Drivers’ Championship, Norris has expressed remorse.

On Sunday, the 26-year-old from Bristol joined Hamilton as one of only eight British F1 world champions in the sport’s history in Abu Dhabi. Finishing third was enough to pip race-winner Max Verstappen to the championship by two points. Norris was overcome with emotion after the race and cried during some of his interviews. But he was delighted to win the world championship in his own way, despite being remorseful over some of his past interviews.

Lando Norris admits he’s said things he wishes he hadn’t (Image: Getty Images)

Norris told journalists: “That’s one of the things that makes me most proud. I feel like I have just managed to win it the way I wanted to win it, which was not by being someone I’m not. Not trying to be as aggressive as Max or as forceful as other champions might have been in the past – whatever it may be.

“I’m happy. I just won it my way. I’m happy I could go out and be myself and win it Lando’s way, as Andrea [Stella] would tell me. Could I have gone out and been more of that person you probably want me to be at times? I could have done. I would have been less proud about it in some ways. So, that’s why I’m very happy with myself.

“I kept my cool, I kept to myself, I kept the focus on myself, and I got the most out of how I am. And 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. 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 [Piastri]. 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 One. I’m not even close to that. I might never be.

Lando Norris is the new F1 world champion (Image: Getty)

“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.”

Hamilton was filmed personally congratulating Norris in the media pen in Abu Dhabi. And the 40-year-old said he was “really proud” of his compatriot after Norris became the first McLaren driver to win the title since Hamilton himself in 2007.

“I’m really happy for him. Winning your first World Championship is truly special,” the Ferrari driver said. “[The] UK continues to pump out great drivers, and I know what the feeling is also when you’re coming into this race and fighting for your first championship, it’s nerve-wracking.

“I’m just really proud of him. Before the weekend, I told him what he does works, so don’t change anything, and I guess that’s what he did.”