Lando Norris was overwhelmed with emotion as he clinched his first Formula 1 world championship title. The British driver secured the championship by finishing third at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, edging out Max Verstappen by a narrow two-point margin.
Norris, the 35th world champion in F1 history, expressed his gratitude and joy over claiming the prestigious title after a period of uncertainty. Crossing the finish line, he tearfully thanked his team over the radio, acknowledging the role they played in making his dreams a reality. He also expressed his love and appreciation for his parents before breaking down in tears.
McLaren team principal Zak Brown celebrated the victory, acknowledging the team’s efforts in achieving the championship. Norris had a comfortable 12-point lead over Verstappen going into the Abu Dhabi race, where McLaren’s strategy mishap allowed Verstappen to win, keeping the pressure on Norris until the end of the season.
Despite facing a stewards’ investigation during the race for a maneuver involving Yuki Tsunoda, Norris escaped penalty and maintained his position. Verstappen, who won the final three races of the season, could not secure his fifth title as Norris held on to claim the championship.
In the Abu Dhabi race, Verstappen dominated, finishing 12.5 seconds ahead of runner-up Oscar Piastri. Verstappen resisted tactics to disrupt Norris’ position, with Norris finishing 3.9 seconds behind his McLaren teammate and securing the championship ahead of fourth-placed Charles Leclerc.