Norris looks ahead to 2026: ‘I would love to race Lewis more’

Fresh from clinching his maiden Formula 1 world championship last weekend in Abu Dhabi, Lando Norris is already looking ahead – and he’s hoping that one familiar rival will join the fight at the front of the field next season.

The McLaren star, who edged Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by just two points to claim the 2025 crown, told Sky Sports that he would “love” to battle seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton more regularly.

The Briton suffered a miserable debut season with Ferrari, finishing winless in 2025 and failing to reach the podium for the first time in his career. Norris, however, expects the Hamilton to rebound strongly and is excited by the prospect of racing him at the front once again.

"We've had a good amount of battles already. I would love to race a bit more with Lewis,” Norris said.

"Obviously, Ferrari struggled a lot more this year than I think everyone was expecting.

"Lewis has proved himself to be probably the best of all time. Everyone knows if anyone can bounce back from difficult years, it's Mr Hamilton, and I would love to race against him more."

For Norris, racing against the sport’s elite is a privilege he never takes for granted.

"It's always a privilege that I get to race against someone that is the best in the world. You have got a good amount of those guys. You have Fernando [Alonso], Lewis, Max [Verstappen].

"There's a lot of us that want to climb in the footsteps of these other guys. George and Oscar [Piastri] are two of those and there's so many guys on the grid.”

Ready to Defend His Title

With F1’s rules reset looming in 2026, Norris is aware the competitive order could shift dramatically – potentially threatening McLaren’s newly-minted championship status. Yet he’s ready to take on all challengers.

"Next year, everyone's got an opportunity," he said. "Everyone's looking forward to it. People want to come to take my crown, and I want to try to retain it. And I look forward to that battle.”

But before the next season kicks off, Norris is looking forward to some time away from the cockpit, spending moments with family and friends.

"I will spend some time with my family, with my friends,” he said. “Everyone in the team have earned themselves a good break.

“Work starts even earlier next year than it normally does, by almost three weeks, so a much shorter holiday.

• Read also: Piastri plays it cool: Norris' title won't turn him into ‘superman’

"Just get out somewhere, enjoy some time away with my friends and family. And before I know it by the time I go 'this is nice', we're going to have to get back to training and get ready for next season, but I'm looking forward to some good days off that everyone deserves."

With the championship now under his belt, Norris is set to defend his title in 2026 – and he’s hoping Hamilton will be a familiar and formidable figure at the front once again.

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