Norris recalls Jackie Stewart’s 2013 prophecy as he becomes first‑time world champion at Autosport Awards

Lando Norris stepped onto the Autosport Awards red carpet as a first‑time Formula 1 World Champion. Rather than a victory speech, the Briton recalled a 2013 meeting with Sir Jackie Stewart, who told a teenage Norris he could one day sit beside him on the winner’s podium.

Why it matters:

Norris’s title ends McLaren’s 16‑year drought, the team’s first since 2008. The win also signals a shift in a sport still dominated by Max Verstappen, and Stewart’s early endorsement adds a narrative of perseverance that resonates beyond the paddock.

The details:

• Stewart’s 2013 comment – In a press interview, Sir Jackie Stewart said, “I believe Lando could join me in the winner’s circle one day,” a line Norris highlighted on the red carpet.
• Season showdown – Norris battled Verstappen throughout 2023, finishing second in the drivers’ standings and clinching the title with a third‑place finish at Abu Dhabi.
• McLaren’s revival – The championship is McLaren’s first since 2008 and its first drivers’ title since Keke Rosberg in 1982, reflecting a major technical and strategic turnaround.
• Mindset – Norris emphasized “keep your head down, work hard and hope it pays off,” echoing the steady approach that carried him from junior karting to the top step of the podium.

What's next:

Norris says his immediate goal is to defend the crown and help McLaren stay in the fight for race wins. With a strong start to the 2024 campaign already hinted at, the young champion hopes to turn this breakthrough into a sustained challenge for the title.