Lando Norris wins World Championship in Abu Dhabi
Lando Norris has become the first British F1 driver since Lewis Hamilton to win the World Championship in a tense final race. The British motor racing driver delivered a commanding performance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, coming in third to secure the title over Red Bull driver Max Verstappen and his own teammate Oscar Piastri, reports BritPanorama.
Although Verstappen, a four-time world champion, started from pole position and won the race, it was not enough to surpass Norris in the overall standings. The Dutchman, the defending world champion, mounted a significant challenge that many have hailed as one of the greatest in F1 history.
Norris entered the Abu Dhabi race with Verstappen trailing him by 12 points and Piastri by 16 points. He required a finish of at least third to secure the championship. F1 has now seen 11 British drivers crowned world champions, with Norris joining this elite group. Hamilton was the last British driver to win the title in 2020.
The race itself was notably clean, with no incidents that prompted yellow or red flags. Verstappen took an early lead, but Norris recovered from a drop to seventh place, overtaking both Lance Stroll and Liam Lawson on lap 19. He later maneuvered past Yuki Tsunoda, although this resulted in Tsunoda receiving a five-second penalty for moving off the track.
Finishing the race in third place, Norris ensured his championship victory despite Verstappen’s win, where Piastri claimed second. Speaking from inside his car, Norris expressed his disbelief and joy, saying, “You’ve made a kid’s dream 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 am not crying…”
This championship marks a significant achievement for McLaren and adds another chapter to the storied history of British drivers in Formula One, underscoring both the evolving competitive landscape and the enduring legacy of the sport.
