Lando Norris was overcome with emotion as he clinched his first F1 world championship title. Securing third place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Norris edged out Max Verstappen by a mere two points to become the 35th champion in the sport’s history.
Expressing his gratitude on the team radio, Norris thanked his McLaren crew for making his dreams a reality. McLaren team principal, Zak Brown, hailed Norris and his teammate, Oscar, as exceptional drivers for their achievement.
Despite a 12-point lead over Verstappen prior to the Abu Dhabi race, Norris faced challenges during the event, including a stewards’ investigation for an off-track maneuver. Verstappen, who won the final three races of the season, fell short in his bid for a fifth championship.
Verstappen dominated the Abu Dhabi race, finishing 12.5 seconds ahead of second-place Oscar Piastri. However, Norris held on to secure third place, staying clear of any threats to his championship lead. Charles Leclerc finished fourth, with Norris’s McLaren teammate trailing closely behind in the standings.