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Former F1 world champion Damon Hill has shared a three-word reaction to Carlos Sainz‘s tribute to Lando Norris, lauding the pair’s friendship. At the Abu Dhabi GP, Sainz claimed that Norris has broken the mold by becoming a world champion while being a good person.
Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz built a strong friendship during their time together as teammates at McLaren. After the former secured his maiden F1 title in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, Sainz shared a heartfelt tribute for the Briton.
Sainz explained that Norris has remained true to himself and not fallen into the stereotype of a world champion having to be “ruthless or tough”. He shared that the 26-year-old has become a world champion while being a good person.
“He has shown that you can be a world champion while being a good person, you don’t need to be ruthless or tough. He is a driver who doesn’t follow the typical stereotype of a world champion,” said Sainz [via Autosport].
“He has always stayed true to himself, very honest, very open about his own struggles,” he added.
The 1996 F1 world champion reshared this quote from Sainz via his Instagram story on Sunday, lauding the pair’s relationship.
“THESE GUYS. OMG! 👏👏👏”
Lando Norris was paired with Carlos Sainz at McLaren upon his F1 debut with McLaren in 2019. While the Spaniard left the team for Ferrari in 2021, Norris stayed at the Papaya team through their transition period in the early 2020s.
The man from Bristol has surely reaped the rewards for his loyalty as McLaren turned a corner in the 2024 season, winning the constructors’ title as Norris secured P2 in the championship. Now, he has secured a maiden title with the British team amid a close battle with teammate Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen in the end.
Lando Norris shares a one-line response to Carlos Sainz’s tribute after the Abu Dhabi GP
Lando Norris thanked Carlos Sainz after being told about the tribute the 31-year-old gave him, suggesting that a good guy can be a world champion as well after he secured his maiden title at the Abu Dhabi GP.
Upon being told that Sainz said he proved that nice guys can be world champions in the media pen on Sunday, Norris smiled and replied, saying:
“Haha, thank you Carlos!”
Lando Norris had to finish on the podium at the Abu Dhabi GP to secure the 2025 drivers’ title irrespective of any other results. The McLaren man did exactly that as he finished third behind Max Verstappen (P1) and Oscar Piastri (P2), with the three championship protagonists locking out the final podium of the season.
Verstappen grabbed an eighth win of the season, which was more than both Norris and Piastri in the end, with the McLaren pair ending the season with seven victories each. In the end, Verstappen’s late-season surge was only enough for him to secure second place in the championship as he missed out on a fifth consecutive title by just two points.
Edited by Riddhiman Sarkar
