Norris title could boost F1’s younger generation – Domenicali | RACER

Lando Norris becoming Formula 1 world champion in 2025 will boost the sport’s younger generation, F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali said.

Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was won by four-time world champion Max Verstappen, but Norris secured the third place he needed to win the drivers’ title for the first time. The 26-year-old becomes only the second driver to win the title since Domenicali took up his role in F1 – after Verstappen – and had praise for all three title contenders this season.

“It was great to arrive at the end of the year with the title still undecided; it is something that cannot be taken for granted. When you look back you see so many things that have happened this season that seem impossible,” Domenicali said. “Before the summer, Oscar Piastri won the title, then Lando Norris and then Max was strong.

“Congratulations to Lando. He is a great character for Formula 1. His smile, his way of being a professional driver – he is very important, he is 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 drove incredible seasons, and that’s why the title fight came to the end here. So just fantastic.”

Domenicali also wanted to congratulate McLaren team boss Andrea Stella – who he worked with at Ferrari – and McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown for the turnaround over the past three seasons that has seen the team become title winners again.

“I know Andrea and we have been friends for many years, and I know what the pressure was,” he said. “When I saw him, I said, ‘Listen, just enjoy yourself, you deserve it, and at the end of the day you should be proud of what you’ve achieved.’ So as always, life is giving back what you deserve.

“And also Zak Brown was very strong in taking over the team from a very bad moment; I remember the last time they were on the grid was three years ago. But he stayed focused, kept the direction, understood the needs of the team, brought in the most important people – and as always, the team is the most important thing.”

“Now we have a McLaren team that is back to the level of many, many years ago. And you can also see how popular McLaren is with the fans; you see the papaya colors a lot more, and all these things were possible because of Zak’s vision. So I really thank him for that – and I congratulate him too.”