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 mere two points.
Norris, the 35th world champion in F1 history, couldn’t contain his joy and relief after sealing the prestigious title following a period of uncertainty. In a heartfelt message over the team radio, he thanked his McLaren crew and expressed his gratitude to his parents, saying, “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, commending them as a formidable duo. Norris had a 12-point lead over Verstappen before the Abu Dhabi race, where McLaren’s strategy mishap allowed Verstappen to win. Despite Verstappen’s victory in the final three races of the season, he fell short of securing his fifth championship.
In Abu Dhabi, Norris faced scrutiny for his racing tactics but escaped penalties. While Verstappen dominated the race, Norris held onto third place, securing the championship title. Verstappen finished ahead of Oscar Piastri, with Norris following closely behind his McLaren teammate and ahead of Charles Leclerc in fourth place.