Norris’ reflection came in the glow of his championship clincher in Abu Dhabi, where third place was enough to seal the title ahead of Verstappen and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.

With the biggest achievement of his career secured, the Briton used part of his media debrief to acknowledge that some of his comments about rivals, especially in cooldown rooms and post-race scrums, had crossed a line.

He admitted that quips about Verstappen and Hamilton were often born in frustration and adrenaline rather than malice, and that, almost as soon as he said them, he wished he could take them back. The new champion framed this self-criticism as part of trying to be genuine without losing sight of the respect owed to drivers whose records still dwarf his.

The Hamilton “Fast Car Seven Years Ago” Flashpoint

The most replayed example of those “stupid things” came after the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix, when Hamilton praised the speed of the McLaren and Norris shot back that the seven-time champion had a fast car “seven years ago” and had simply made the most of it.

The exchange, caught in the cooldown room, created an awkward on-camera moment and fed speculation about tension between the two Britons.

Hamilton appeared genuinely surprised, reiterating that he was complimenting McLaren rather than complaining about his own machinery. In hindsight, Norris now groups that jab with other remarks he would rather erase, insisting that he holds Hamilton up alongside Michael Schumacher as one of the best to ever race in Formula 1.

Respect for Verstappen, Hamilton, and the Champion Standard

Norris has been careful to underline that his regret does not stem from a lack of competitive edge but from a desire to match his words with the respect he feels. He highlighted how much he values fighting Verstappen wheel to wheel and how Hamilton’s seven titles set a benchmark he may never reach, even after finally joining the roll call of British world champions.

The timing of his apology matters. Coming immediately after a tense, season-long duel that ended with Norris edging Verstappen by just two points, the admission reads less like damage control and more like a champion trying to shape his legacy on and off the track.

As he prepares to carry the number-one plate for McLaren next year, Norris appears intent on ensuring that his sharpest moments are measured in lap times rather than one-liners about the legends he now races among.