Lando Norris was overwhelmed with emotion as he clinched his first F1 world championship title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Despite finishing third in the race, Norris secured the championship by a narrow two-point margin over Max Verstappen.
As the 35th world champion in F1 history, British driver Norris expressed his joy and relief after a period of uncertainty. Over team radio, he tearfully thanked his McLaren team for fulfilling his dreams and expressed his love and gratitude towards them, his parents, and acknowledged his emotional state.
The McLaren team principal, Zak Brown, praised Norris and his teammate Oscar for their exceptional driving skills in achieving the championship victory. Norris had a comfortable 12-point lead over Verstappen heading into the Abu Dhabi race, after a missed opportunity in Qatar which allowed Verstappen to keep the title battle alive.
Despite facing a stewards’ investigation during the Abu Dhabi race for an incident involving Yuki Tsunoda, Norris avoided penalties. Verstappen won the race but fell short of securing his fifth championship as Norris maintained his position to claim the title.
Verstappen’s victory in Abu Dhabi was not enough to challenge Norris, who finished ahead of his McLaren teammate Piastri and Ferrari’s Leclerc. Norris’s consistent performance throughout the season ultimately led to his well-deserved championship win.