Lando Norris becomes Formula One world champion
Lando Norris claimed his maiden Formula One world championship title in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, ending Britain’s four-year wait for a champion since Lewis Hamilton’s seventh crown in 2020, reports BritPanorama.
The McLaren driver needed a top-three finish to guarantee the championship, having entered the finale with a slender advantage over defending champion Max Verstappen and teammate Oscar Piastri. Tension mounted early when Piastri overtook him on the opening lap, but Norris held his nerve through 90 minutes of racing to secure the result he needed.
As Norris crossed the finish line, the jubilant call from his McLaren team rang out: “That’s it mate, you are world champion. Is this the world champion hotline?” The victory brought tears to Norris’s eyes as he reflected on the significance of the moment.
The 26-year-old driver from Bristol embraced his model girlfriend Magui Corceiro as the garage erupted in celebration, she watched anxiously from the McLaren garage wearing a black dress. Emotions ran high, with Norris’s parents visibly moved as their son achieved what he had worked towards since childhood.
“Thank you guys. You made a kid’s dream true. I love you mum, I love you dad, thanks for everything,” Norris told his McLaren crew moments after crossing the line. Teammate Piastri was the first to offer congratulations before Norris embraced his emotional parents.
Reflecting on his journey, Norris noted, “It is a long journey. My mum, my dad, they are the ones who supported me at the beginning.” At age 26, he ranks as the seventh-youngest driver ever to claim the world championship crown, joining an exclusive group as the eleventh British racer to achieve the feat.
Norris’s victory marks a defining moment for McLaren, a relationship that has weathered considerable difficulties alongside moments of triumph throughout his career. With this win, the world of motorsport updates its historical narrative, highlighting the blend of perseverance and passion that fuels such success.
In a sport where glory intertwines with the personal stories of its athletes, Norris’s triumph serves as a reminder that every champion emerges from a myriad of struggles and gritty determination. It’s a new chapter for McLaren and a bright future for Norris.
