P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Carlos Sainz has argued Lando Norris’ title win in 2025 has quashed the notion that a driver has to be “ruthless or badass” to become a F1 champion.
Carlos Sainz praised Lando Norris for winning the 2025 Formula 1 title without conforming to the stereotype of being ruthless or a badass. The two drivers were former teammates at McLaren and maintained their friendship even after Sainz left the team. Norris’s victory over Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi was a result of McLaren’s development into a top team in F1. Sainz expressed his happiness for Norris, highlighting his talent and authenticity as a driver. He emphasized that Norris’s success shattered the typical image of an F1 champion and lauded him for staying true to himself throughout his journey to becoming a world champion. Despite Norris’s achievement, Sainz hopes that his friend will remain grounded and not let the title change who he is.
