Norris finished third behind Max Verstappen in final race to deliver McLaren its first world drivers’ crown since 2008
A tearful Lando Norris claimed his maiden Formula One world drivers’ title in Abu Dhabi ending Max Verstappen’s four-year reign. After he crossed the line, his team engineer told him: “That’s it, mate, you are world champion, world champion!”
“Thank you guys, you made a kid’s dream come true,” he replied. “I haven’t cried in a while. I didn’t think I would cry, but I did,” Norris said on the podium in the desert night at the floodlit Yas Marina Circuit. “I want to thank my mum, my dad; they’ve supported me since the beginning. “It feels amazing, I know now what Max feels like a little bit. I want to congratulate both Max and Oscar, I’ve enjoyed it, it’s been a long year!” he added. The Briton finished third in the season closer behind race winner Verstappen and the other title challenger, McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, to claim the crown by two points.
