Lando Norris reaction says it all as Max Verstappen secures F1 title at Las Vegas GP
Max Verstappen is officially Formula 1's fifth-ever four-time world champion after finishing fifth at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, one place ahead of rival Lando Norris
Lando Norris insisted he regrets nothing as he paid tribute to Max Verstappen after the Dutchman secured his fourth consecutive Formula 1 drivers' title.
Norris needed to finish about Verstappen at the Las Vegas Grand Prix to keep his slim championship hopes alive for another week. But the Dutchman crossed the line fifth, one place ahead of his McLaren rival, to ensure he cannot be caught before the end of the year.
The Brit knew the writing was on the wall after the Brazil race earlier this month when Verstappen drove from 17th on the grid to win, while he dropped from pole position to sixth. That damaging result left the Dutchman with three chances to make sure of the title and he got the job done at the first time of asking.
And, speaking after the race, Norris conceded that the better driver over the course of the season had won. He said: "I'll start with congrats to Max, as much as it hurts a little bit. Saying congrats to him does not hurt, but knowing the championship is now 100 percent over.
"You always have a little hope inside but he drove an incredible season. When he had the quickest car he dominate, and when he didn't he was still there and always on my heels. He made my life tough - we made his tough at times I am sure, but he drove a better season so a big congrats to him."
This was the first time Norris has been involved in an F1 title bid and, despite it ending in failure, he went on to say he was proud with how he approached it. The 25-year-old added: "I think I was happy with how calm and focused I was.
"There is definitely more pressure, there are more eyes, more nerves, more demands on me to make sure I go out and don't mess up a qualifying lap or make a mistake in the race, stay in the race, don't get taken out.
"You have to drive better when you get to that point and I feel like I have. Since Zandvoort I feel like I have done close to a perfect job. Always things I could have improved on and that I need to improve on, but I feel like I have done a very good job especially in this second half of the season.
"The first half, we were suddenly like, 'Oh, we are fighting them', and I don't think we, as a team, were mentally ready to fight against the big boys. As much as I would like to believe we were ready, we were not and we paid the price for that a little bit.
"But also, I was there fighting Max, no-one else. We started the season as the slowest of the top four and we are ending it as the most consistent and probably the best team. I am more proud than anything else - I do not regret anything."
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