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The British racing driver stated he is deeply satisfied of the approach in which he won his first-ever Formula One world championship, emphasizing after a heartfelt victory lap with his team and family that he was happy to have succeeded "his way".

Norris underscored that he believes he competed cleanly and without excessive aggression, a strategy for which he has been scrutinized for lacking the much-discussed "killer instinct". He maintains that winning the championship proves such an approach is unnecessary.

The 26-year-old secured the championship with a third-place finish at the season finale, beating his rival from Red Bull by a narrow margin. The Dutch driver won the race but could not overcome the lead Norris held going into the final round.

"This is an aspect that makes me most proud," Norris said. "I feel like I have just been able to secure it the way I aimed to, which was without becoming someone I’m not."

Norris added, "Choosing not to be as aggressive as Max or as assertive as other title-winners might have been in the past, I’m happy. I just did it my style – by being a sportsmanlike driver, by trying to be an honest driver."

Nerve-Wracking Finale

The champion admitted that, despite appearances, the final laps were incredibly tense.

"I was composed until the very end, then I began to tremble a bit," he recalled. "Then I got to see the team when I crossed the line is a moment that I’ll always remember."

A Remarkable Comeback

The driver's journey to the title involved a stunning comeback from being far adrift of his teammate in August. A DNF in the Dutch Grand Prix became a major catalyst.

"I thought: ‘Oh no. I’m in a deep hole against a pretty freaking fast driver, and I’ve got to step it up,’" he revealed. "I had to become more myself due to external factors, working with more professionals in different areas to unlock more of my ability."

Rival Reactions

The Red Bull Driver's View

The reigning champion focused on the good from his team's performances, having fought back from a 104‑point deficit. He believed they had done everything possible against a papaya car that was the superior package.

"Yeah, I think so, I have zero regrets about my season," Verstappen stated. "Our pace has been strong. I’ve hated this car at times, but I’ve also excelled in it at times."

However, the Dutchman responded tersely when asked about a contentious moment at the Spanish GP where a penalty lost him valuable points.

"You forget all the other events that happened," Verstappen snapped. "The title is won over a full season... I have also had a lot of lucky breaks given to me."

Oscar Piastri: Lessons Learned

The visibly dejected Oscar Piastri, who had led for much of the season, admitted he would emerge stronger the defeat.

"Naturally I would have wanted a slightly different ending," Piastri said. "But I think this year I’ve learned an enormous amount about myself as a driver and as a person... In the end there’s a touch of disappointment but I think I can be extremely pleased."