Norris comments continue to fuel hate videos after champion expressed regret
After Lando Norris was crowned world champion, the internet was divided. People arguing against the Briton's qualities posted highlights of Norris' comments, saying that the hate he received was ‘not forced’ at all. The McLaren driver already addressed these comments in Abu Dhabi.
Norris won the 2025 Formula 1 drivers' title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and a week later, he lifted the trophy at the FIA Awards Ceremony in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Max Verstappen, for example, was very relaxed following the season finale, after a stunning comeback to finish just two points behind his rival. As he said, he already has four of these titles at home, and his performances were not lacking in 2025 to say the least. Not everyone reacted the same way.
On social media, videos with Norris' previous comments cut together were posted, arguing that the British driver deserves the hate.
The videos are usually led by the McLaren driver's answer to Lewis Hamilton at the Hungaroring ("You had a fast car seven years ago"), and his comment about Verstappen's comeback at Interlagos ("It's not talent, it's just luck") in 2024.
Not in relation to these videos specifically, but talking to the media in Abu Dhabi, Norris already talked about these words.
Norris addresses past comments
The world champion explained: "I know at times I say some stupid things, and I say some things about Max, or I might have said some things at times in the past that everyone talks about, about Lewis.
"Some things I regret and I wish I could take back and never have come out my mouth. But I honestly believe I give more respect to anyone else than anyone else. I give more respect to Oscar. I give more respect to Max.
"I try and give as much respect as I can to Lewis—he’s seven-time world champion. He’s the best driver—you compare him to Schumacher—the best driver that’s ever been in Formula 1. I’m not even close to that. I might never be. I dream of those kind of things
"I dreamed of today, and I’ve managed to achieve one of seven, comparing to him. And do I regret some of the comments I might have said in cooldown rooms or whatever it is? Yes.
"But a lot of those are in the heat of the moment. And by the time I’ve said it, I’ve gone, "Why the hell did I just say that?" So, I try and be as genuine as I can."
Justifying hate in general has no place in the sport, but given Norris' answer where he acknowledged he regrets making these comments, fans cannot be selective of his words either. He admitted to making a mistake, and that cannot go unnoticed either.
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