Leclerc calls Norris' title win 'beautiful' as he sets sights on 2025 challenge
Charles Leclerc praised Lando Norris's emotional first F1 title win as "beautiful," calling it the "ultimate dream" for every driver. Following a winless season with Ferrari, Leclerc immediately shifted focus to 2025's new regulations, aiming to challenge Norris and fight for the championship himself.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc has described Lando Norris's maiden Formula 1 World Championship victory as a "beautiful" story, while simultaneously setting his own sights on challenging for the crown next season. Leclerc's comments highlight the unique blend of fierce rivalry and deep mutual respect that defines the pinnacle of motorsport.
Why it matters:
Leclerc's heartfelt praise for a direct competitor underscores the profound personal significance of achieving the ultimate goal in F1. His immediate pivot to his own championship ambitions for 2025 frames Norris's success not just as a feel-good moment, but as a tangible benchmark and source of motivation for every other driver on the grid who is still chasing that dream.
The details:
- Leclerc expressed his admiration for the raw emotion of Norris's achievement, stating, "No matter how much you want to beat your opponents, to see someone’s face as happy as Lando’s is something that is beautiful to see."
- He acknowledged the title as "the ultimate dream for every one of us on this grid" and affirmed that Norris "deserves it."
- The context makes Leclerc's praise particularly poignant. Ferrari and Leclerc endured a winless 2024 season, a stark contrast to McLaren's and Norris's triumphant campaign.
- This personal history adds weight to his declaration that he now aims to "make his [Norris's] life harder next year."
What's next:
Leclerc's focus is firmly on the future, pinning his hopes on F1's new technical era beginning in 2025. He views the regulatory reset as a potential catapult to return Ferrari to title contention. His statement serves as an early declaration of intent, transforming admiration for a rival's success into fuel for his own championship pursuit in the coming season.