McLaren star Lando Norris clinched his first Formula 1 title on the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix early on Monday morning (AEDT).
Red Bull’s four-time defending world champion Max Verstappen gained the race with Norris putting third behind his McLaren teammate and Australian star Oscar Piastri in second, which allowed Norris to complete two factors forward of Verstappen within the season standings.
Piastri was additionally in competition for his first F1 title and completed third within the standings, 13 factors behind Norris.
The 26-year-old Norris turned the primary British champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2020, and he additionally denied Verstappen a fifth straight title.
Norris entered the three-way battle 12 factors forward of Verstappen and 16 forward of Piastri.
Verstappen began from pole with Norris on the entrance row beside him and Piastri third on the grid. Verstappen wanted Norris to be fourth or decrease and Norris needed to end outdoors the highest 5 if Piastri gained.
Verstappen’s astounding late-season cost got here near unseating each McLaren drivers after that they had shared the lead all through the season after which had been undone by driver and team-strategy errors.
But even Verstappen’s season-leading eighth win and 71st of his profession couldn’t cease Norris, who saved his composure regardless of having been underneath extreme strain in current weeks.
The McLaren motorhome erupted with pleasure and CEO Zak Brown congratulated Norris on the workforce radio in his typical jovial method.
“Lando, that is Zak from McLaren. Is this the world champion hotline? You did it! You did it! Awesome,” Brown mentioned.
Norris didn’t know whether or not to chortle or cry. He did each.
“Oh my god, thanks a lot. I really like you guys. Thanks for all the pieces,” Norris mentioned after which broke down in tears.
After crossing the road, Norris stayed in his automotive for just a few moments, visibly emotional. His dad and mom had been on the facet of the observe and he went over to hug them earlier than celebrating along with his engineers and mechanics.
AP
