Lando Norris secured the Drivers’ Championship title, becoming the 11th British driver to achieve this feat by finishing third at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Going into the race, Norris led the World Championship with a 12-point advantage over Max Verstappen, while his teammate Oscar Piastri was also in contention, trailing Verstappen by four points.
Despite missing out on a chance to clinch the title in Qatar due to a strategic error by McLaren, Norris faced intense pressure heading into the Abu Dhabi race weekend. Qualifying saw Norris qualify second, just behind Verstappen and ahead of Piastri, setting the stage for a crucial race.
During the race, Norris initially lost a position to Piastri but then had to defend against Charles Leclerc who pressured him. After a pit stop to avoid being undercut, Norris found himself behind a group of cars but managed to make decisive moves to regain momentum.
Verstappen’s teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, was penalized for impeding Norris during an overtaking maneuver, further aiding Norris’s race. With a comfortable lead over Leclerc, Norris managed his race well, eventually securing the championship title as he crossed the finish line.
After a seven-year journey in Formula 1, Norris’s victory marked a significant moment for British motorsport, reclaiming the top spot in the racing world.