Lando Norris Wins First Formula One Drivers' Crown in Yas Marina In Spite Of Max Verstappen's Grand Prix Win.
Through an exhibition of nerveless driving, the McLaren driver has won his first Formula One world championship by taking a podium finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Third place was sufficient for the British driver, despite the fact that Red Bull's Max Verstappen finished first and his teammate at McLaren Oscar Piastri came home in second.
The driver performed precisely what was required in an incredibly high-pressure race at the Yas Marina Circuit, including a series of audacious overtakes, with flawless work from both the driver and his McLaren squad.
A Historic Feat for British Motorsport and McLaren
By winning his maiden world championship, Norris becomes the 11th British driver to do so. It also brings to an end the team's drivers’ championship drought, which went back to 2008 when Lewis Hamilton was their last champion. Additionally, it had been 27 years since McLaren achieved the championship double back in 1998.
This marks a remarkable revival for the team, from a nadir in the middle of the last decade when they twice finished ninth in the standings. The comeback has been led by boss Zak Brown and, most recently, by Andrea Stella, who has built an efficient team with a race-winning car.
Lando Norris performs a victory donut after securing the world championship.
A Tale of Two Teammates
For the Australian Oscar Piastri, who had looked so strong for a large part of the season, there was clear frustration at faltering in the final third. A series of difficult weekends and some errors, including a crash in Baku, were expensive. Nevertheless, he finishes the season having shown he is too of champion caliber. Being so fast in only his third year in F1, with seven wins, remains a huge achievement.
Verstappen was also exceptional to take the fight down to the last race. He did everything possible in Abu Dhabi with the win, but having come back from a 104-point deficit in August, he did not quite have enough to catch Norris, ending up just two points short.
Closing it Out with Ruthless Execution
Norris closed out his success with ruthless precision to take the championship that had been within reach but eluded him as McLaren struggled at the previous two races. First a DSQ in Las Vegas and then an egregious tactical decision in Qatar.
It was no little achievement for the driver in his seventh season in F1, all of them with McLaren. He stuck with the squad even during tough periods, convinced they would come good. That faith was rewarded in Abu Dhabi.
He has done a hugely impressive job to persist with his task, keeping his cool and belief even when under the cosh. After losing the championship lead to Piastri earlier, he still worked at getting the most from the car's potential.
Norris chases down the Red Bull of another competitor during the race.
The Title-Deciding Grand Prix
At the start, Verstappen held his first place through turn one, but the three title leaders kept it clean. Piastri, using the hard tyre, was feisty and made a brilliant move to pass the outside of Norris to claim second place.
It showed the McLarens were allowed to fight, but put Norris under pressure from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Early pit stops saw Norris come out into midfield traffic, but he passed rivals quickly and displayed great composure in his driving.
On lap 19, he made an absolutely bravura move to dive past two cars in one swoop, climbing to fourth and closing on Verstappen's teammate. Red Bull told their driver to delay Norris, leading to a dramatic overtaking attempt where Norris burst up the inside, almost completely off the track.
The incident was investigated by the stewards, with several nerve-wracking laps elapsing before a penalty for his rival and exoneration for Norris was decided. This decisive charge unimpeded was crucial to his championship bid.
Contrasting Fortunes
As Norris was crowned the first British driver to take the title since Lewis Hamilton in 2020, the difference in form between the two was pronounced. While the new generation battled over the title, Hamilton, the grand champion, could only finish eighth place in Abu Dhabi, a dismal conclusion to a dismal season with Ferrari.
Making his debut with the Italian team had been greeted with enthusiasm but has yielded what was easily his most challenging year ever, finishing sixth in the championship and failing to secure a top-three finish. He has appeared jaded in the closing races and will look to reset over the winter.
Lando Norris revels on his car after becoming the title winner.