Guenther Steiner issues Lando Norris defence against F1 title critics

Former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner has jumped to the defence of Lando Norris following criticism of the Briton as an unworthy world champion.

Max Verstappen’s run of four consecutive F1 drivers’ titles was brought to an end by Norris, who emerged victorious in a three-way title decider in Abu Dhabi last year.

It saw Norris become the first British F1 champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2020, and the first McLaren driver to win the title since Hamilton in 2007.

However, upon securing his maiden championship, Norris was judged by many as undeserving, with some accusing McLaren of favouring him over team-mate Oscar Piastri.

A sudden technical failure in Zandvoort saw Norris retire from the Dutch Grand Prix and fall 34 points behind Piastri — a moment at which he was ruled out of the title by most, including Steiner.

The Italian has acknowledged that he too wrote Norris off, but insists those claiming Norris did not deserve the title are wrong, pointing to how the McLaren driver recovered.

Asked by Sport Krone for his view on claims that Norris did not deserve the title, Steiner said: "I can’t agree with that. He absolutely deserved the title. Lando fought until the very end.

"We had already written him off during the season — myself included — but he bravely fought his way back, and that’s why he became world champion.

"He learned his lesson and avoided the mistakes he made at the beginning of the season."