Lando Norris has won his maiden Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship after coming third in the deciding showdown in Abu Dhabi.
The accolade wraps up a clean sweep for his McLaren team, after they claimed the Constructors’ Championship in Singapore in October.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the final race of the season from pole position, but Norris coming in third meant the Dutchman was unable to overcome Norris’s season points total of 423 by just two points.
Norris’ title victory also ends Verstappen’s four-year reign at the top of Formula 1. The Dutchman was hoping to retain his crown and win a record-equalling fifth-straight Drivers’ Championship, which would have seen him draw level with Michael Schumacher.
Lando Norris. Pic: AP
Norris’s teammate and title rival, Oscar Piastri, finished in second place in the race but third in the overall standings finishing on 410 points.
The 26-year-old is the 11th British driver to win the championship and first since Sir Lewis Hamilton in 2020.
“Thank you guys, oh my God. You have made my dreams come true, thank you so much.”I love you guys. Thanks for everything, you deserve it. I love you mum, I love you dad. Thanks for everything. I’m not crying!” he said on the team radio as he crossed the line.
His victory marks a remarkable comeback to secure the title, after falling a season-high 34 points behind Piastri after the Dutch Grand Prix in August, when he suffered a late mechanical problem in his car when running second to his Australian teammate.
Lando Norris reacts after becoming a world champion after the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix. Pic: AP
But in the nine grand prix that followed, this was only the second time he had been beaten by Piastri in a race.
That sequence saw him secure dominant wins in Mexico and Brazil, putting him in pole position for the maiden title.
“I’ve not cried in a while! I didn’t think I would cry but I did!” Norris to Sky Sports in his post-race interview.
“It’s a long journey. First of all, I want to say a big thanks to my guys, everyone at McLaren, my parents – my mum, my dad – they are the ones who have supported me since the beginning.
McLaren driver Lando Norris during the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Pic: AP
“It feels amazing. I now know what Max feels like a little bit! I want to congratulate Max and Oscar, my two biggest competitors the whole season. It’s been a pleasure to race against both of them. It’s been an honour, I’ve learned a lot from both.
“I’ve enjoyed it. It’s been a long year. We did it and I’m so proud for everyone.”
After conducting celebratory ‘donuts’ on the start-finish straight after completing his slow-down lap, Norris was embraced by his parents, Cisca and Adam, after getting out of the car along with his girlfriend, Margarida Corceiro.
He was also congratulated by fellow drivers before the emotion, and relief, at winning the crown clearly came out during the podium ceremony.
