12/07/25 08:51:00
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12/07 08:49 CST McLaren driver Lando Norris clinches his first F1 title at
season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
McLaren driver Lando Norris clinches his first F1 title at season-ending Abu
Dhabi Grand Prix
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) --- McLaren driver Lando Norris clinched
his first Formula 1 title at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.
Red Bull driver and defending champion Max Verstappen won the race with Norris
placing third behind his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri in second, which
allowed Norris to finish two points ahead of Verstappen in the season-long
standings.
Piastri was also in contention for his first F1 title and finished third in the
standings, 13 points behind Norris.
The 26-year-old Norris became the first British champion since Lewis Hamilton
in 2020, and he also denied Verstappen a fifth straight title.
Norris entered the three-way battle 12 points ahead of Verstappen and 16 ahead
of Piastri.
Verstappen started from pole position for Red Bull with Norris on the front row
beside him and Piastri third on the grid. Verstappen needed Norris to be fourth
or lower and Norris had to finish outside the top five if Piastri won.
Verstappen's astounding late-season charge came close to unseating both McLaren
drivers after they had shared the lead throughout the season and then were
undone by driver and team-strategy errors.
But even Verstappen's season-leading eighth win and 71st of his career could
not stop Norris, who kept his composure on Sunday having been under severe
pressure in recent weeks.
The McLaren motorhome erupted with joy and CEO Zak Brown congratulated Norris
on the team radio in his usual jovial manner.
"Lando, this is Zak from McLaren. Is this the world champion hotline? You did
it! You did it! Awesome," Brown said.
Norris didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He did both.
"Oh my God, thanks so much. I love you guys. Thanks for everything," Norris
said and then broke down in tears.
After crossing the line, Norris stayed in in his car for a few moments, visibly
emotional. His parents were on the side of the track and he went over to hug
them before celebrating with his McLaren engineers and mechanics.
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