VIDEO SHOWS: COMMENTS FROM F1 CHAMPION LANDO NORRIS AT AUTOSPORT AWARDS SHOWS: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JANUARY 21, 2026) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. FORMULA ONE DRIVERS' CHAMPION, LANDO NORRIS, POSING FOR PHOTOS ON RED CARPET OF AUTOSPORT AWARDS 2. VARIOUS OF NORRIS SPEAKING TO THE PRESS 3. PHONE RECORDING NORRIS 4. NORRIS TALKING TO PRESS 5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMULA ONE DRIVERS' CHAMPION, LANDO NORRIS, SAYING: "That's tough. Giving inspiration to other people I struggle with. Enjoy it and keep trying hard. I mean, you know, I was never one to go 'I'm going to be world champion one day', you know? That was just not my attitude. It still isn't, kind of thing. But I always just kept trying. I think that was the main thing. I kept working hard, kept building on my team around me, kept building on myself, and the work paid off. So, I don't think you have to necessarily just know you're going to do it, or just believe in everything. But certainly, yeah, keep working hard and do everything you can. And that's and it's paid off." 6. VARIOUS OF NORRIS TALKING TO PRESS 7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMULA ONE DRIVERS' CHAMPION, LANDO NORRIS, SAYING: "How is it? I mean, I'm probably just a bit happier, but not a lot's changed, honestly. Yeah, I've enjoyed some time away with my friends, my family, all of that. And I mean, it only changes when people talk to me about it. You know, when people ask me questions about it or say, 'Congrats'. That's the only time it changes. You just get recognised a bit more and I'm able to kind of bring myself back to those moments and give myself those memories of the day it was and the weekend that it was. So, it just brings satisfaction from that point of view. But otherwise, like I say, I play golf, I like to have pizza and still be normal. So nothing's changed otherwise." 8. NORRIS TALKING TO PRESS 9. CAMERA FILMING NORRIS 10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMULA ONE DRIVERS' CHAMPION, LANDO NORRIS, SAYING: "That's tough. I mean, it's a very different year, you know? There's a lot more things to think about, to prepare for like simulator started already a week ago. So, I don't know – you approach every year as just a new year and prepare in the best way that you can. It will for sure feel different just more when, you know, I step into the car and I see the number one at the front, it'll put a smile on my face again. And more so I hope it just puts a smile on the face of all the guys and girls that are working on my car and knowing that they're putting together a car that's won the world championship and that they're part of that. So, that's special for me, it's special for them and an honour for me to be able to do it for them." 11. NORRIS SPEAKING TO PRESS STORY: Lando Norris is still just adjusting to his new reality as Formula One champion as he picked up another honour at the annual Autosports Awards on Wednesday (January 21). The 26-year-old McLaren driver was named the inaugural Autosport Champion at the awards ceremony in London having previously won the Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year award at the same event a decade ago. Norris is only the second recipient of the award given to the best young British drivers to go on to become F1 champion and the first since Jenson Button. "Not a lot's changed, honestly. It only changes when people talk to me about it," Norris said, reflecting on his breakout year. "You just get recognised a bit more and I'm able to bring myself back to those moments and give myself those memories of the day and the weekend that it was," he added. Norris clinched the title at December's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, ending Red Bull's Max Verstappen's four-year reign by just two points. "It's a very different year. There's a lot more things to think about," said Norris, looking ahead to next season. "It will for sure feel different when I step into the car and I see the number one at the front. That'll put a smile on my face again." F1 preseason testing starts in Barcelona on January 26 ahead of the year's opening Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 8. (Production: Gerhard Mey, Conal Quinn)
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