Carlos Sainz has expressed admiration for his former teammate Lando Norris, highlighting that Norris has shown it’s possible to become an F1 world champion while remaining a genuinely nice person. Norris secured third place at the Yas Marina circuit, which earned him the 2025 F1 world championship title. He made history by becoming McLaren’s first world champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2008, ending Max Verstappen’s winning streak.
After Norris’ triumph, Sainz told Sky Sports that the McLaren driver has always been extremely fast and talented, beyond the recognition he’s received. Sainz recalled observing Norris early in their time at McLaren and seeing his potential to be a multiple world champion based purely on speed. Over time, Norris honed his skills and ultimately became champion. Sainz also praised Norris for breaking the mold of typical world champions by being open about his struggles and staying true to himself without resorting to ruthlessness or negativity.
Sainz hopes Norris maintains his authentic personality despite the pressures that come with being a champion, such as social media scrutiny and criticism from the media, especially during challenging moments earlier in the season when Verstappen was closing in on him. Sainz acknowledged that staying composed in such a high-pressure battle isn’t easy, but Norris managed it well.
Having been teammates for two seasons from 2019 to 2020, Sainz—though the more experienced driver—noticed Norris’ exceptional natural speed, even outperforming him at times. Sainz expressed pride in Norris for staying true to his unique approach and proving critics wrong, encouraging others to pursue their dreams of becoming F1 world champions regardless of the usual expectations.
Fan Take: This milestone is huge for racing fans because it shows that talent and authenticity can triumph in F1’s cutthroat environment. Norris’ victory could inspire a new generation of drivers to embrace their individuality while competing at the highest level.
