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Lando Norris claimed his first-ever Formula 1 World Championship in an emotional finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, securing the necessary third place to clinch the title. The 26-year-old British driver edged out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by just two points, despite Verstappen winning the race and achieving his eighth victory of the season. McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, who finished second in the race, played a strategic role in supporting Norris’s title bid. This triumph marks the first drivers’ and constructors’ championship double for McLaren since 1998, and sees Norris become the 11th British driver to win the F1 world crown after seven seasons in the sport.
Throughout the race, McLaren maintained composure amid the pressure. Despite Verstappen dominating from the start as he held pole position and charged towards victory, Norris and Piastri cooperated to safeguard Norris’s championship lead. Piastri’s overtake on Norris early in the race, part of a pre-planned strategy involving tire choices, allowed McLaren to challenge Verstappen more effectively. Norris focused on managing his position, holding off Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and controlling the race pace patiently. Reflecting on the achievement, Norris said, “I’ve dreamed of this for a long, long time. Everyone does… today we all did it so I’m pretty happy.”
One of the most tense moments came after Norris’s first pit stop, where he found himself behind Yuki Tsunoda of Red Bull in pursuit of third place. Tsunoda’s mission was to disrupt Norris’s momentum and aid Verstappen, echoing similar tactics used in previous title-deciding races. Although Tsunoda aggressively defended his position, even weaving on the straights, Norris managed to overtake him while being forced slightly off track. This maneuver was investigated by race stewards, who ultimately penalized Tsunoda for excessive defensive moves but took no action against Norris. From there, Norris maintained his position and surged ahead when it counted, solidifying his championship win in a tough contest against Verstappen, widely considered the best driver of his era.
The final standings of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix saw Verstappen take the race victory, with Piastri in second and Norris third. Their combined efforts secured McLaren’s remarkable return to championship-winning form, ending a long wait since Lewis Hamilton’s title in 2008 brought glory to the team. Celebrations followed, with Norris visibly moved by the accomplishment. “It feels amazing, I now know what Max feels like,” he said, praising his closest rivals Verstappen and Piastri and expressing pride in the entire McLaren team for their hard work throughout an intense and challenging season
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