Hamilton Passes McLaren Championship Baton to Norris After Sharing Key Advice
Lewis Hamilton formally ended McLaren's 16-year drivers' title drought by congratulating Lando Norris as the new world champion. The seven-time champion revealed he advised Norris to 'continue doing you' during Abu Dhabi weekend, marking the first time since 2008 that a McLaren driver has won F1's top honor.
Lewis Hamilton formally passed McLaren's championship torch to Lando Norris after the Briton secured his maiden world title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The seven-time champion—who last delivered McLaren's drivers' crown in 2008—praised Norris' season-long consistency and revealed he shared strategic advice ahead of the decisive race weekend.
Why it matters:
This moment closes a painful chapter for McLaren, which hadn't seen one of its drivers win the championship since Hamilton's rookie title 16 years ago. Norris' triumph validates the team's rebuild under Andrea Stella and signals McLaren's return to elite status—a development Hamilton called "great to see" after his own emotional Ferrari debut season.
The Details:
- Hamilton emphasized his pre-race message to Norris: "Continue doing you. What you've been doing works... take it one corner at a time."
- Norris joins an exclusive McLaren champions' club including Senna, Prost, and Hakkinen—becoming the eighth driver to win the title with the Woking squad.
- The advice reflects Hamilton's understanding of championship pressure, having clinched his 2008 title in dramatic last-corner fashion at Interlagos.
- Hamilton specifically highlighted Norris' mental approach: "He did such a great job this season" by maintaining focus through intense competition with Verstappen.
- His acknowledgment of McLaren's resurgence carries weight given his deep emotional ties to the team that launched his F1 career.
What's next:
Hamilton's comments mark both an endpoint and new beginning. As he prepares for a complete digital detox—"I won't have my phone with me... completely unplugged from the matrix"—Norris now shoulders McLaren's championship expectations. The 2026 season will test whether McLaren can build on this foundation against Red Bull's anticipated resurgence, while Hamilton focuses on helping Ferrari close its performance gap. This symbolic passing of the baton underscores F1's cyclical nature: yesterday's champions become tomorrow's mentors as new rivalries emerge.