Alonso Praises Norris' 'Well-Deserved' First F1 Title After Monitoring Abu Dhabi Decider

Fernando Alonso monitored the dramatic three-way 2023 drivers' title fight between Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Max Verstappen from Yas Marina Circuit's sidelines, ultimately praising Norris' championship as 'well deserved' after the McLaren driver secured his first world title. The Aston Martin veteran finished sixth in the season finale, climbing to tenth in the final standings while observing the championship drama unfold.

Why it matters:

Alonso's perspective carries significant weight as F1's most experienced active driver, having witnessed 357 Grands Prix. His endorsement of Norris' achievement validates the young Briton's breakthrough season while underscoring how rare championship success remains in modern F1 - with only one driver able to claim the ultimate prize despite all three contenders delivering flawless performances under extreme pressure.

The details:

• Alonso strategically followed the championship battle through circuit monitors during the Abu Dhabi GP, admitting: "I was updating myself from time to time."
• McLaren's tire strategy with Piastri created momentary confusion for the Spaniard: "Because they were on different tyres, sometimes Piastri was leading and I didn't understand if that was already with the stop or not."
• Historic achievement: Norris joined an elite group of British world champions, becoming the first non-Red Bull driver to win since Lewis Hamilton in 2018.
• Standings impact: Alonso's sixth-place finish moved him from 12th to 10th in the final drivers' championship, securing crucial points for Aston Martin's constructors' position.
• Veteran perspective: Having waited 19 years between his own titles, Alonso emphasized the emotional significance: "You dream to become Formula 1 driver eventually, and then to win the championship - that day arrived for him."

What's next:

Norris' championship victory marks a potential turning point for McLaren's resurgence, while Alonso's measured reaction reflects his evolved role as F1's elder statesman. The Spaniard's focus now shifts to developing Aston Martin's 2024 challenger, though his Abu Dhabi comments revealed deeper implications for F1's competitive landscape.

• McLaren's success with both drivers finishing on the podium (Norris 1st, Piastri 3rd) demonstrates their strategic maturity under extreme pressure.
• Red Bull's failure to secure the title despite Verstappen's second-place finish raises questions about their 2024 development trajectory.
• Alonso's acknowledgment that "all three would be deserving world champions" highlights how exceptionally close the season's championship battle remained until the final laps - a rarity in recent F1 history where titles have often been decided earlier.