Lando Norris was overcome with emotion as he clinched his first F1 world championship title. The British driver secured third place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, edging out Max Verstappen by a slim two-point margin to claim the prestigious crown.
In a heartfelt message over the team radio upon crossing the finish line, Norris expressed his gratitude and joy, thanking his team for making his dreams a reality. McLaren team principal Zak Brown praised Norris and his teammate Oscar for their outstanding performance in achieving the championship victory.
Despite facing a 12-point lead over Verstappen before the Abu Dhabi race, Norris encountered a challenging moment during the event when a stewards’ investigation was launched into his driving tactics. However, he emerged unscathed from the inquiry and maintained his position to secure the championship.
Verstappen, who won the final three races of the season but fell short of clinching the title, finished first in Abu Dhabi. However, Norris’ strong performance throughout the season ultimately secured his place as the 35th F1 world champion in history.