F1 drivers reacts with emotional messages after Lando Norris’ dramatic title win

Lando Norris has been topped System 1 world champion for the primary time after securing a podium end on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This has unsurprisingly prompted heat reward from his fellow drivers on the grid, with long-term rival and buddy George Russell beginning the pattern.

Norris wrapped up the title at Yas Marina after a tense lengthy race from the primary nook. Along with his team-mate Oscar Piastri overtaking the Briton in the beginning of the race, robust driving from Norris made positive he stayed throughout the high three, pulling away from the surging Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc within the final stint of the race.

With a stronger and extra constant second half of the season, he was capable of beat Pink Bull’s Max Verstappen to the championship by simply two factors.

For a lot of within the paddock, his success began in karting throughout Europe, with a number of drivers becoming a member of him as all of them fought for a spot within the championship.

George Russell

“No, I am actually blissful for him. Actually, perhaps after I was a bit youthful and never as mature I feel you would be envy of type of a rival and fellow countryman to win, however actually I feel the older we get you recognise how troublesome it’s to maintain a sure stage on this sport.

“We by no means know when our alternative was going to come back. I am positive he wasn’t conscious his probability was going to be this yr and this second half of the yr, particularly he is pushed actually extremely, so I am blissful for him and I feel he deserves it.”

When requested if he deliberate to occasion with Norris to have fun the title, Russell added:

“No, to be sincere. However yeah, he ought to benefit from the second.”

Fernando Alonso

“Lando, all three of them, you already know, they drove amazingly properly this yr. And even now, with further strain within the final race, they certified within the high three, they completed within the high three, so that they nonetheless ship the job.

“All three are world champions. Just one can win. This time was Lando. So yeah, congratulations to him. He has to get pleasure from now, you dream to turn out to be System 1 driver finally, after which to win the championship that arrived for him, and I hope he enjoys it and well-deserved it.”

Alex Albon

“Yeah, very blissful for him. It is nice to see him displaying his feelings on the world stage. I feel he answered loads of critics and I really feel like he took a step. On the finish of the yr he rose underneath the strain and he deserves each second of this.

“He had numerous dangerous luck truly, each McLaren’s however notably Lando’s. He is performed it in nice model and I am positive that is loads of strain off his shoulders. It should be an enormous night time tonight, that is for positive.”

Will Albon be becoming a member of him?

“I am actually going to spend dinner with my household and go to mattress.”

He continued: “It is bizarre is not it? It does not really feel actual. It appears like simply your pals on the large stage. I suppose we do not take a look at one another like followers could do. You are simply blissful as a buddy greater than you might be as the rest.

“Clearly it is a dream for all of us to be an F1 world champion. I feel we’re all so blissful for Lando. Hopefully everybody else will get an opportunity as properly.”

This text will probably be up to date with extra reactions.

Nico Rosberg

“Sure, completely nice, a well-deserved world champion. And Lando proved it once more at this time, the entire weekend.

“Underneath this immense strain, he made no errors, he delivered. Drove an ideal weekend — sensational and unbelievable. And I actually really feel it with him.All of the recollections are coming again for me. That’s why I’m smiling a lot — as a result of I completely really feel his feelings, and seeing his dad and mom, and all the pieces.”

To what extent will it change Norris’s life?

“It undoubtedly impacts your life, in fact, being world champion. And I feel it additionally provides you that subsequent stage of self-confidence. Since you’ve confirmed it — you’ve checked off that you’ve what it takes to be world champion.

“Nobody can ever take that away from you. So that actually is one other step in self-confidence. Perhaps we’ll see a good stronger Lando Norris subsequent yr.

Esteban Ocon

“Superb three-way battle. I feel all of them deserve so much this yr. They had been preventing till the top. We had an incredible present for that final race. There must be just one champion and properly performed to Lando. I feel he undoubtedly deserves what he will get at this time. I am tremendous proud for him. I hope that he survives tonight’s occasion.”

Pierre Gasly

“It was a troublesome battle. I feel all three sort of should be up there. You want one champion. There’s at all times just one champion. I feel for System 1, it is fairly unbelievable to have a title determined by two factors. It is fairly wonderful for the game and for the followers on the market. In the long run, it is a huge second for his profession. An enormous congratulations to Lando.”

Images from Abu Dhabi GP – Race