Lando Norris pays tribute to Oscar Piastri and makes intriguing comparison to Daniel Ricciardo

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Lando Norris broke the record to become the most experienced McLaren driver in the team’s history in Qatar, and at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he added a world championship to his growing list of F1 credentials.

Seven seasons with McLaren have led to Lando Norris finally becoming a world champion at the Yas Marina circuit.

He didn’t have the easiest race after being overtaken by his teammate Oscar Piastri, who was trying to keep his own title hopes alive, while Max Verstappen never gave up the lead to secure his 10th consecutive podium finish.

Piastri tried an alternative strategy but couldn’t secure the victory he needed to give himself a chance of an incredible comeback.

However, that didn’t stop Norris from paying tribute to his Australian teammate and explained why he’s been an even more difficult driver to come up against than his fellow countryman, Daniel Ricciardo.

Piastri’s reaction to Norris’ championship win was very classy, and Norris quickly returned the favour in one of his many post-race interviews.

READ MORE: McLaren driver Lando Norris’ life outside F1 from parents to celebration

Lando Norris says Oscar Piastri made him ‘dig even deeper’ than Daniel Ricciardo

Norris was speaking to Sky Sports F1 (7/12 3:31 pm), and when reflecting on his time with McLaren, he said: “At times we’ve still struggled, and even I’ve struggled against Oscar, and Oscar’s done an incredible job.

“I’m glad I’ve had Oscar the last three years because even though he’s still a lot newer than me, I’ve learned a lot from him, and he showed me up many times.

“I’ve managed to learn a lot from him, and I wouldn’t be the driver I am today without that.

“Of course, also with my other teammates, with Carlos [Sainz], with Daniel, the last few years.

“But he’s made me have to dig even deeper than I ever have before, because by the midpoint of the season, he was performing better than I was and doing a better job consistently.

“After Zandvoort, it was pretty tough, but we had a good break, and I managed to do everything I needed to.

“I want to enjoy the moment, but also, give a congrats to Oscar and to Max, of course, for making us stressed like hell the last few months!”

READ MORE: McLaren driver Oscar Piastri’s life outside F1 from height to girlfriend

Lando Norris makes future Oscar Piastri prediction after 2025 F1 title decider

Martin Brundle has suggested that Piastri is a future world champion, and Norris is equally aware of how difficult a challenge going up against the 24-year-old is going to be.

He continued: “Oscar, as my teammate, I think people don’t understand how difficult it can be.

“People have proven in the past that having teammates fighting for a world championship, and you know, Zak and Andrea to kind of have control over those things, it’s certainly tough for them just having one car, and we take points over each other, we make our lives harder, the strategy is always more difficult.

How the Drivers’ Championship would’ve looked without THAT swap in Monza…🤯

Should Max Verstappen feel aggrieved that Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri swapping places in Monza may have been the difference in the Drivers' Championship?

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“But the team would always take that over only having one car performing for a world championship, and yeah, I have to give a congrats to Oscar, because he’s driven incredibly and at some point he’s going to get the better of me because he’s an incredible driver, and I’ve yeah I learned a lot.

“I’ve enjoyed it a lot, and sadly, I got a lot more seasons with him in the future, so I look forward to those tough moments as well.”

All eyes are on how competitive McLaren are going to be in 2026 during the new regulations, but if Andrea Stella’s team are still on top, there’s no guarantee that Norris will be retaining his crown.