Hamilton's Pre-Race Advice to Norris Before F1 Title Win

Lewis Hamilton shared his championship-winning advice with Lando Norris ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: "Don't change anything." The seven-time world champion's guidance proved prescient as Norris secured his maiden F1 title by two points over Max Verstappen despite finishing third in Sunday's season finale.

Why it matters:

Norris' championship victory breaks McLaren's 26-year drivers' title drought—the last won by Hamilton himself in 2008—and reaffirms Britain's pipeline of elite drivers. His success under pressure demonstrates how modern F1's tightly contested regulations reward consistency over raw speed, with McLaren becoming the first non-Red Bull team to win the championship since 2019.

The Details:

• Norris clinched the title with a calculated third-place finish at Yas Marina Circuit, capitalizing on Max Verstappen's race win but insufficient points margin over Oscar Piastri
• Hamilton emphasized maintaining composure during title deciders, drawing from his own 2008 experience when he won by a single point on the final corner
• Historic Context: Norris became the first British driver to win the championship since Hamilton's 2008 triumph, ending the longest title drought for any constructor in F1 history
• Team Dynamics: McLaren's strategic execution throughout the final races—including Abu Dhabi's tire management—proved decisive against Red Bull's superior race pace
• Hamilton specifically praised Norris' "cool head" during the pressure-cooker finale, noting how the 24-year-old maintained his racecraft without defensive driving

What's next:

The championship outcome reshapes F1's competitive landscape heading into 2025, with McLaren positioned as Red Bull's primary challenger. Norris' success validates McLaren's multi-year rebuild under Andrea Stella, while Hamilton's mentorship role signals his evolving status as F1's elder statesman.

• Red Bull now faces urgent development challenges after Verstappen's second consecutive title loss in the final race
• Ferrari's 2025 car development gains new urgency as Charles Leclerc seeks his first championship
• Norris' victory creates immediate pressure to defend his title against an upgraded Red Bull and resurgent Ferrari package