Lando Norris was overcome with emotion as he clinched his first F1 world championship title. The McLaren driver secured the championship by finishing third at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, edging out Max Verstappen by two points.
Norris, now the 35th world champion in F1 history, expressed his gratitude and excitement over winning the prestigious title after a period of uncertainty. “Thank you guys… oh my god,” he exclaimed over the team radio. “You made my dreams come true, thank you so much. I love you guys, for everything. You deserve it. I love you mum, I love you dad. Thanks for everything. And now I’m crying!”
McLaren team principal Zak Brown praised Norris and his teammate Oscar, acknowledging their exceptional driving skills in achieving the championship victory.
Despite Verstappen’s late-season surge with three consecutive wins, Norris held onto his lead with a 12-point advantage heading into the Abu Dhabi race. Verstappen’s efforts to close the gap were not enough to surpass Norris in the end.
Norris faced a stewards’ investigation during the race for a maneuver involving Yuki Tsunoda but escaped penalty. Verstappen won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix but fell short of overtaking Norris in the championship standings.
In a strategic move, Verstappen refrained from hindering Norris’s position by slowing down the pack, allowing Norris to secure third place behind his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. Charles Leclerc finished fourth, with Norris maintaining a comfortable lead over his competitors.
Sign up for email alerts to stay updated on the latest news stories.