🔗 Share this article The McLaren driver Reveals Satisfaction in Securing Maiden F1 Title On His Own Terms. The British racing driver stated he is immensely proud of the approach in which he clinched his inaugural Formula One world championship, emphasizing after a heartfelt victory lap with his McLaren squad and family that he was pleased to have succeeded "in his own style". Norris underscored that he believes he competed cleanly and without excessive aggression, a strategy for which he has been scrutinized for lacking the often-praised "ruthless edge". He maintains that securing the title proves such an approach is unnecessary. The 26-year-old secured the title with a third-place finish at the season finale, beating his rival from Red Bull by a narrow margin. The Dutch driver won the race but could not erase the 12-point advantage the McLaren driver held going into the final round. "That's one of the things that makes me most proud," he commented. "I feel like I have just managed to win it the way I wanted to, which was not by being someone I’m not." He elaborated, "Choosing not to be as aggressive as Max or as assertive as other title-winners might have been historically, I’m content. I just did it my style – by being a sportsmanlike driver, by trying to be an respectful driver." A Tense Conclusion The champion admitted that, despite appearances, the closing moments were incredibly tense. "I was composed until three corners to go, then I began to tremble a little bit," he recalled. "Then I got to see the team when I crossed the line is a memory that I’ll never forget." A Remarkable Comeback The driver's journey to the title involved a remarkable recovery from being far adrift of then-leader Oscar Piastri in the summer. A mechanical failure in Zandvoort served as a key turning point. "I thought: ‘Oh, shoot. I’m in a deep hole against a pretty freaking fast driver, and I’ve got to step it up,’" Norris explained. "I got to be more myself due to external factors, working with more professionals in different areas to unlock more of my ability." Rival Reactions The Red Bull Driver's View Max Verstappen focused on the good from his and Red Bull’s performances, having fought back from a 104‑point deficit. He believed they had given their all against a papaya car that was the superior package. "Yeah, I think so, I have zero regrets about my season," he said. "Our pace has been strong. I’ve hated this car at times, but I’ve also excelled in it at times." Yet, the driver responded tersely when asked about a controversial incident at the Spanish GP where a penalty cost him valuable points. "You forget all the other events that happened," Verstappen snapped. "The title is won over 24 rounds... I have also had a lot of early Christmas presents come my way." Oscar Piastri: Lessons Learned A clearly disappointed Oscar Piastri, who was in front for much of the season, admitted he would learn from the defeat. "Naturally I would have wished for a slightly different ending," he stated. "But I think this year I’ve learned a hell of a lot about myself behind the wheel and as a person... In the end there’s a touch of disappointment but I think I can be very proud."