Stefano Domenicali reveals the two-word message he kept repeating to Lando Norris as he won the F1 title

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Lando Norris will become the first British driver since Lewis Hamilton to try and defend a Formula 1 title when he steps onto the grid at the Australian Grand Prix.

What should have been a straightforward championship double for McLaren last season almost turned into a nightmare, as Max Verstappen nearly completed one of Formula 1’s greatest comebacks.

Verstappen was unimpressed with McLaren’s treatment of Oscar Piastri, but after a tricky final three races that included a disqualification in Las Vegas, Lando Norris got his campaign over the line.

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Much has been made of Norris’ more open stance to the media about his previous struggles, but he appeared to both visibly and mentally toughen as the season went on.

Formula One Group CEO Stefano Domenicali spoke at the end of last season and revealed what he kept telling Norris as the campaign went on, and he eventually earned the F1 title.

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

Stefano Domenicali told Lando Norris to ‘keep smiling’ during 2025 F1 title race

Domenicali was asked in a post-season interview by Sky Sports what kind of figurehead Norris has become for Formula 1.

He replied: “Very positive. Younger, more energetic, with his personality which is different from the others.

“So, I think he needs to keep one thing that I always said to him, ‘Keep smiling’!

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“You need to have positive energy. Sometimes, they are young, so they are doing an incredible job.

“They are role models for a lot of people, so they need to remember that they are unique talents.

“But I always say to him, there’s no secret, keep smiling.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about McLaren F1 Team from team principal to engine

Lando Norris compared to Michael Schumacher ahead of 2026 F1 championship defence

Norris struggled compared to Piastri at the beginning of the 2025 campaign, with the Australian driver looking far more comfortable in the car.

That’s despite Norris winning the Australian Grand Prix in torrential conditions while Piastri spun off, but two-thirds of the way through the campaign, the 24-year-old had a commanding advantage in the championship.

Norris enjoyed a suspension tweak from McLaren that Piastri didn’t adopt, and it appeared to give him far more confidence in the car.

The British driver’s performances in qualifying quickly improved, and his win in Mexico City by more than half a minute highlights how impressive his form was.

Norris will be a very different world champion compared to the likes of Hamilton and Verstappen, especially as he goes into his first season as a world champion at the same time as a rule change.

It means that no matter how good Norris is compared to his rivals, there’s a higher chance than normal that McLaren won’t be a competitive force.

Domenicali ultimately wants what’s best for Formula 1 in his current position, and so it speaks volumes that he’s been so positive about Norris.

Damon Hill has even compared Norris’ ambitions to Michael Schumacher, which should give him all the motivation he needs to try and become F1’s latest back-to-back champion.