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The British racing driver stated he is immensely proud of the manner in which he won his first-ever Formula One drivers' title, stressing after emotional celebrations with his team and family that he was happy to have succeeded "his way".

Norris underscored that he believes he competed fairly and without being overly forceful, a philosophy for which he has faced criticism for lacking the much-discussed "ruthless edge". He maintains that securing the title proves such an approach is unnecessary.

The 26-year-old wrapped up the title with a P3 finish at the season finale, edging out Red Bull's Max Verstappen by a narrow margin. Verstappen won the race but could not overcome the 12-point advantage the McLaren driver held entering the last race.

"That's one of the things that I am most proud of," Norris said. "I believe I have just been able to secure it the way I aimed to, which was not by being someone I’m not."

Norris added, "Not trying to be as aggressive as Max or as forceful 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 honest driver."

A Tense Conclusion

Norris also conceded that, despite appearances, the final laps were incredibly tense.

"I felt calm until three corners to go, then I started to shake a little bit," he said. "Seeing the team when I crossed the line is a memory that I’ll always remember."

A Remarkable Comeback

The driver's journey to the championship involved a stunning comeback from being far adrift of his teammate in the summer. A mechanical failure in the Dutch Grand Prix served as a key turning point.

"I thought: ‘Oh no. I’m in a deep hole against a seriously quick driver, and I’ve got to step it up,’" he revealed. "I had to become more myself because of external factors, bringing in more professionals in different areas to fully realize my ability."

Competitors' Responses

The Red Bull Driver's View

The reigning champion focused on the good from his team's performances, having mounted a comeback from a massive points gap. He believed they had given their all against a papaya car that was the superior package.

"Yes, absolutely, I have zero regrets about my season," he said. "The performance has been strong. I’ve struggled with this car at times, but I’ve also loved it at times."

However, the Dutchman reacted testily when questioned about a controversial incident at the Barcelona race where a time punishment lost him valuable points.

"People overlook all the other stuff that happened," Verstappen snapped. "A championship is won over a full season... I have also had a lot of early Christmas presents given to me."

Oscar Piastri: Lessons Learned

The visibly dejected Oscar Piastri, who was in front for much of the campaign, reflected he would emerge stronger the experience.

"Obviously I would have wanted a slightly different ending," he stated. "But I think this year I’ve learned an enormous amount about myself behind the wheel and as a person... Ultimately there’s a touch of disappointment but I think I can be very proud."