Norris proud to be F1 champion without being a ’jerk’

Lando Norris says he is proud to have become a Formula 1 world champion without adopting the ruthless approach associated with some of the sport’s biggest names.

The McLaren driver, whose chances of defending his 2025 crown now look increasingly slim amid the team’s struggles in 2026, told La Stampa he hopes his success sends a different message to future generations.

"I’ve shown that it’s possible to win a championship without having to act so selfishly," Norris said.

"You don’t have to pretend to be tougher than you are. You don’t have to be a jerk.

"You don’t have to be like that because maybe you’ve seen previous champions win that way."

The Briton admitted there were occasions when being more ruthless might have helped. "Maybe there were times last year when, if I’d been a little more like that, some results might have turned out better."

However, he insists he would not change who he is.

"I think the fact that I managed to win without being any of that serves as an example that you don’t have to be, as everyone says, the villain, the bad guy.

"And that’s something I’m very proud of."

Norris acknowledged that many champions have taken a harder edge into battle.

"Schumacher was the meanest guy on the track," he said. "Max was the meanest guy on the track. I don’t think Lewis was necessarily the meanest guy on the track. But I think Fernando was quite a mean guy on the track.

"So there are many champions who fit into this category."

But he likes the idea of being remembered differently.

"Maybe someday someone will say, ’Lando, or whoever, you didn’t have to be like those guys,’ because I won once when I was a really nice guy," Norris laughed.

"That’s a great thing to think about."

The 26-year-old also suggested he is unlikely to follow Fernando Alonso’s example by racing deep into his forties. "In my case, I won’t be here when I’m 40.

"I want to leave and do other things. I’m still excited about my future, about having children. Raising children.

"Maybe they’ll go into motorsport, maybe they’ll play golf, maybe they won’t do any sports and will just be good kids. I’m really looking forward to all of that."

But when asked about Alonso’s longevity, Norris was full of admiration. "Fernando has always had incredible self-confidence," he said.

"His mentality is incredible. He’s very, very intelligent. But he’s also very dedicated."

"I think he’s perhaps the most disciplined. The hardest worker. A guy in love with his sport, something I don’t think you see in any other sport.

"There are very few people like that in the world. Maybe other champions like Brady, Woods, or Federer have it. They want to practice their sport every day. They’ll do everything possible to be the best at their sport.

"And Alonso has that. He’s so passionate about it that he’ll keep trying again and again."