Steiner Defends Norris's Title Against Critics

Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has strongly defended Lando Norris's championship title against critics who deemed the McLaren driver undeserving. Despite having previously written Norris off himself after a retirement in Zandvoort, Steiner insists the Briton "absolutely deserved" the crown for his remarkable comeback. He highlighted Norris's ability to learn from early mistakes and fight until the very end as the key reasons for his victory.

Why it matters:

The legitimacy of a new champion is always a major talking point in F1, and Steiner's defense adds significant weight to Norris's case. Coming from a respected and outspoken figure in the paddock, his comments help quell the controversy surrounding McLaren's team dynamics and whether Norris truly earned the title over his teammate, Oscar Piastri.

The details:

• Norris clinched the title in a three-way battle in Abu Dhabi, ending Max Verstappen's four-year reign and becoming the first British champion since Lewis Hamilton.
• Critics have questioned the validity of his win, suggesting McLaren unfairly favored him over Piastri, who led the standings after Norris's Zandvoort retirement.
• A pivotal moment was that Dutch Grand Prix DNF, which left Norris 34 points behind and led many, including Steiner, to rule him out of contention.
• Steiner's Praise: The former team boss now says Norris's championship was earned through resilience, highlighting his ability to "bravely fight his way back" and eliminate the early-season errors that had cost him points.

Looking Ahead:

Steiner's comments help solidify the narrative of Norris's championship as one of resilience and growth. As the F1 world moves into the off-season, this defense from a veteran like Steiner helps quiet the controversy and allows Norris and McLaren to celebrate their title. It sets the stage for Norris to begin his reign as a world champion, aiming to prove his critics wrong again in his title defense.