Lando Norris has delivered a heartfelt tribute to Andrea Kimi Antonelli after the Mercedes driver claimed the 2026 Formula 1 world championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix, declaring that the title could not have gone to a better person. The McLaren driver, who won the championship in 2025, praised his successor’s extraordinary performances and genuine character before personally seeking him out to offer his congratulations.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s historic achievement made him the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history, bringing a new name to the sport’s list of title winners. For Lando Norris, however, the significance of the moment extended beyond the Italian’s remarkable driving ability, with the outgoing champion particularly eager to celebrate the person behind the success.
Lando Norris hands over F1 world champion crown to Kimi Antonelli
When Lando Norris secured his maiden world championship in 2025, he was widely regarded as a different kind of Formula 1 champion. Less aggressive in his public manner and more willing to acknowledge his personal vulnerabilities, the British driver often allowed fans to see a more human side of the competitor behind the helmet.
At the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix, it was his turn to hand over the crown. Andrea Kimi Antonelli secured his first world championship, and Lando Norris’s reaction to the Mercedes youngster’s achievement was filled with admiration and genuine happiness.
Speaking to Formula 1’s official channel while watching the new champion’s celebrations on screens in the media mixed zone, the McLaren driver admitted that he wanted to remain there simply to take in the occasion.
“I just want to stand here and watch Kimi,” Lando Norris said. “It’s impossible not to want to watch something like this. And of course, having experienced it last year, I know how it feels: your emotions are running incredibly high and you’re on cloud nine, as I’m sure he is right now.”
The outgoing champion then delivered a particularly touching assessment of his successor.
“The title couldn’t have gone to a better person, because he’s such a genuine guy.”
Lando Norris praises Kimi Antonelli’s character and extraordinary 2026 season
Beyond the exceptional talent that had carried Andrea Kimi Antonelli to the world championship, Lando Norris was particularly impressed by the Italian’s kindness and personality. He also acknowledged that the Mercedes driver’s performances throughout 2026 had exceeded the expectations many people held at the beginning of the campaign.
“He’s very, very kind, and he’s driven absolutely incredibly this year,” Lando Norris continued. “I think better than probably everyone expected him to. And he certainly hasn’t had an easy season, considering how incredibly fierce the competition has been.”
The McLaren driver emphasised that Andrea Kimi Antonelli had overcome some of the strongest competition in Formula 1, with his rivals also driving highly competitive machinery.
“He’s been up against the best drivers in the world, all in really good cars, and he’s beaten them all without difficulty. So he should be very proud of what he’s achieved. Today he’s made history. I’m really happy for him.”
The Italian’s championship success followed an outstanding campaign that had already included a crucial victory at the United States Grand Prix, where Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff praised his performance as the title battle approached its conclusion.
Lando Norris personally congratulates new F1 champion after Mexico GP
The mutual respect between the two world champions was also evident away from the cameras during their interviews. After watching the celebrations and speaking so warmly about his successor, Lando Norris went directly to find Andrea Kimi Antonelli in the media mixed zone.
The two drivers shared a heartfelt embrace, with the McLaren star personally congratulating the Mercedes youngster on the historic milestone he had just achieved.
It was a memorable passing of the torch between the 2025 and 2026 world champions. While Lando Norris had lost the crown he secured the previous season, his reaction demonstrated how highly he regarded Andrea Kimi Antonelli, both as a competitor and as a person.
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