McLaren’s Lando Norris wins first Formula 1 title at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: NPR

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — McLaren driver Lando Norris captured his first Formula One title at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.

Red Bull driver and reigning champion Max Verstappen won the race with Norris placing third behind McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri in second, allowing Norris to finish two points ahead of Verstappen in the season standings.

Piastri was also in contention for his first F1 title and finished third in the standings, 13 points behind Norris.

Norris, 26, became the first British champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2020, and he also denied Verstappen a fifth consecutive 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 alongside him and Piastri third on the grid. Verstappen needed Norris to be fourth or lower and Norris needed to finish outside the top five if Piastri won.

Verstappen’s incredible late-season charge nearly toppled both McLaren drivers after they shared the lead throughout the season and then were undone by strategy errors from both drivers and team.

But even Verstappen’s eighth victory, the 71st of his career, couldn’t stop Norris, who kept his cool on Sunday after coming under heavy pressure in recent weeks.

The McLaren camper erupted in cheers 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! Great,” Brown said.

Norris didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He did both.

“Oh my God, thank you so much. I love you guys. Thank you for everything,” Norris said before breaking down in tears.

After crossing the finish line, Norris remained in his car for a few moments, visibly moved. His parents were trackside and he went to hug them before celebrating with his McLaren engineers and mechanics.