In a display of gutsy racing, Lando Norris has clinched his debut F1 world title by achieving third place at the Yas Marina race. A podium was enough for the 26-year-old driver, despite the fact that Red Bull's Max Verstappen finished first and his teammate at McLaren Oscar Piastri finished in second.
He delivered precisely what was necessary in an incredibly intense battle at the Yas Marina Circuit, featuring a series of bold overtakes, with flawless execution from both the driver and his team.
An Important Accomplishment for Britain and The Team
With this his first world championship, Norris is now the 11th driver from Britain to accomplish the feat. It concludes McLaren's drivers’ championship wait, which stretched back to 2008 when Lewis Hamilton last won it. Furthermore, it had been 27 years since McLaren last secured the drivers’ and constructors’ double back in 1998.
It signifies a stunning turnaround for the team, from a low point in the middle of the last decade when they twice finished ninth in the standings. This resurgence has been helmed by team principal Zak Brown and, more recently, by Andrea Stella, who has delivered an efficient outfit with a race-winning car.
Lando Norris performs a celebratory donut after securing the world championship.
The Story of the McLaren
Regarding the Australian Oscar Piastri, who had been the favorite for much of the campaign, there was clear disappointment at faltering in the later races. Several of difficult weekends and mistakes, such as crashing out in Baku, were expensive. Nevertheless, he finishes the season having shown he is also world champion material. To have been so competitive in only his third season in F1, with seven wins, remains a huge achievement.
Max Verstappen was also brilliant to force the title battle down to the last race. He did everything possible in Abu Dhabi with the win, but having come back from a 104-point deficit mid-season, he did not quite have the points to overhaul Norris, finishing just a handful of points behind.
Closing it Out with Clinical Execution
Norris closed out his title with clinical precision to win the championship that had been so close but remained just out of grasp as McLaren found themselves floundering at the last two races. These included a DSQ in Las Vegas and then an questionable tactical decision in Qatar.
It was a significant accomplishment for the 26-year-old in his seventh year in F1, each one with McLaren. He stuck with the team even during some difficult times, convinced they would return to the top. That faith was rewarded in Abu Dhabi.
He has done a remarkable job to persist with his goal, keeping his cool and belief during periods under the cosh. Having lost the championship lead to Piastri after Saudi Arabia, he still worked at getting the most from what he could.
Norris closes on the car of Yuki Tsunoda during the grand prix.
The Decisive Grand Prix
At the start, Verstappen kept his lead through the first corner, but the three title leaders avoided contact. Piastri, using the more durable compound, was feisty and made a spectacular move to go round the outside of Norris to claim second place.
It showed the McLarens were allowed to fight, but left Norris under pressure from the Charles Leclerc. The first round pit visits saw Norris come out into midfield traffic, but he passed rivals quickly and showed no signs of nerves in his driving.
On lap 19, he made an incredibly bold move to dive past two cars in one swoop, climbing to fourth and catching Verstappen's teammate. The rival team instructed their driver to hold up Norris, leading to a breathtaking overtaking attempt where Norris burst up the inside line, almost leaving the track.
This moment was looked at by the race officials, with several nerve-wracking laps passing before a penalty for his rival and no further action for Norris settled the matter. This bold move unimpeded was crucial to his title fight.
Contrasting Fortunes
While Norris was crowned the first Briton to win the title since Lewis Hamilton in 2020, the difference in fortunes between the two was stark. While the new generation fought for the title, Hamilton, the grand champion, could only finish eighth place in Abu Dhabi, a dismal ending to a dismal season with Ferrari.
His first season with the Scuderia had been greeted with excitement but produced what was easily his worst season ever, finishing sixth in the championship and failing to secure a podium. He has appeared jaded in the closing races and will look to reset over the winter.
Lando Norris revels on his car after becoming world champion.
