EXCLUSIVE: Stefano Domenicali praises ‘great character’ of new F1 champion Lando Norris after ‘incredible season’

Formula 1’s President and CEO Stefano Domenicali has offered his congratulations to “great character” Lando Norris, after the Briton claimed his maiden F1 title at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale.

Norris led the championship heading into the race at the Yas Marina Circuit, with his final P3 finishing position – behind his fellow title contenders, race winner Max Verstappen and Norris’ own McLaren team mate Oscar Piastri – giving him an emotional first Drivers’ World Championship.

Asked after the race for his feelings at the end of a dramatic 2025 season, Domenicali said: “First of all, let me take the opportunity to thank everyone of our team, all the F1 teams, all the promoters, the FIA of course, all the drivers, all the broadcasters, all the media, and above all, the fans, for an incredible season.

“It's been amazing to arrive at the end of the year with the title still undecided; it's something that’s not taken for granted. If you look back, you see so many things that have happened this season that seem impossible!

“Before summertime, Oscar Piastri was winning the title, then Lando Norris, then Max was strong.

“Congratulations to Lando. He's a great character for Formula 1. His smile, his way of being a professional driver – he’s very important, he's unique and he will give a big boost of energy to the championship, to the younger generation.

“But let me say that today I saw two other great drivers in Oscar and Max with a different face, a mature face. They both did incredible seasons, and that's why the title fight came here right up to the end. So, just fantastic.”

The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix saw more than two drivers in contention for the title going into the final race for the first time since 2010 – when Domenicali was team boss at Ferrari and current McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella was race engineer for the Scuderia’s driver Fernando Alonso.

That year in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari lost out to Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel by just four points, and Domenicali was quick to offer his congratulations to his former colleague for taking McLaren to both the Drivers’ and Team’s World Championships in 2025.

“I’ve known Andrea and we’ve been friends for many, many years – and I know what was the pressure!” said Domenicali. “When I saw him, I said, ‘Listen, just enjoy, you deserve it, and at the end of the day, you have to be proud of what you have achieved.’

“So, as always, life is giving back what you deserve.

“And also, Zak Brown [McLaren Racing CEO] was very strong in taking the team from a very bad moment; I remember three years ago when they were last on the grid.

“But he stayed focused, kept the direction, understood the needs of the team, brought in the key people – and as always, the team is the most important thing.

“Now we have a McLaren team that is back to the standard of many, many years ago. And you can also see how popular McLaren are with the fans; you see papaya colours much more around, and all these things were possible because of Zak’s vision.

“So I really thank him for that – and I congratulate him too.”