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

The champion highlighted that he feels he raced fairly and without excessive aggression, a philosophy for which he has faced criticism for lacking the much-discussed "killer instinct". He maintains that winning the championship proves such an approach is unnecessary.

Norris wrapped up the title with a third-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, edging out Red Bull's Max Verstappen by a mere two points. Verstappen took the checkered flag but could not overcome the lead Norris held entering the last race.

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

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

Nerve-Wracking Finale

Norris also conceded that, despite appearances, the final laps were nerve-jangling.

"I felt calm until the very end, then I started to shake a bit," he recalled. "Seeing the team after taking the flag is a moment that I’ll never forget."

An Incredible Turnaround

The driver's journey to the championship involved a remarkable recovery from being 34 points behind of his teammate in the summer. A DNF in Zandvoort served as a key turning point.

"I thought: ‘Oh, shoot. I’m in a deep hole against a seriously quick driver, and I’ve got to step it up,’" he revealed. "I had to become more myself due to external factors, working with more experts in different areas to unlock more of my potential."

Competitors' Responses

Max Verstappen: No Regrets

Max Verstappen took only positives from his and Red Bull’s performances, having mounted a comeback from a massive points gap. He believed they had given their all against a papaya car that was the superior package.

"Yeah, I think so, I have no regrets about my season," he said. "Our pace has been strong. I’ve hated this car at times, but I’ve also loved it at times."

However, the driver responded tersely when questioned about a controversial incident at the Spanish GP where a time punishment cost him critical points.

"You forget all the other events that happened," Verstappen snapped. "The title is won over 24 rounds... I have also had a lot of early Christmas presents given to me."

Oscar Piastri: Lessons Learned

The visibly dejected McLaren teammate, who was in front for much of the campaign, reflected he would learn from the defeat.

"Naturally I would have wanted a slightly different ending," Piastri said. "But I think this year I’ve learned a hell of a lot about myself as a driver and as a person... Ultimately there’s a little bit of disappointment but I think I can be very proud."