The British driver won his first Formula 1 World Championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, finishing third and securing the title after six years in the sport. McLaren’s Lando Norris ended a 17-year drought without driver titles for the team, interrupting Red Bull’s hegemony and becoming the 35th world champion in the category’s history.
Six years after joining Formula 1 with McLaren, and became the 35th driver in the history of the sport to do so. The Brit arrived at the last Grand Prix of the season, in Abu Dhabi, leading the classification table and only needed third place, behind Max Verstappen (1st) and Oscar Piastri (2nd), to secure the long-awaited title.
Lando Norris started from second place on the grid, but Max Verstappen He had a perfect start and overtook the Brit in the first few meters of the first lap. In the eighth corner of the 16 that make up the Yas Marina circuit, the most recent world champion was surprised by his teammate, Oscar Piastriwho started from third position and ended up overtaking him.
With third place being enough to secure the world title, Lando Norris focused on maintaining that position throughout the race, without risking more aggressive overtaking attempts. From then on, his strategy was clear: hold the podium and achieve your dream of becoming world champion.
“Lando Norris, you are the world champion”
Shortly after crossing the finish line and still inside his MCL39 single-seater, an emotional Lando Norris couldn’t contain his tears and expressed his gratitude to McLarenrecognizing the team as fundamental in making his dream come true.
As is tradition, the new Formula 1 world champion did not leave the track without first carrying out his iconic “donuts” in front of the stands, a form of celebration and thanks to the fans.
Over the 75 years of Formula 1, this gesture has become a symbol in categorymarking important victories and, especially, winning a world title.
“I didn’t think I was going to cry, but I did”
After the race, during the interview with former driver David Coulthard, the British McLaren driver expressed his happiness at fulfill a dream that he has pursued throughout his life. He thanked the McLaren team, his parents and everyone who supported him since the beginning of his career.
“I’ve been at McLaren for nine years [Programa de Jovens Pilotos da McLaren (2017-2018), piloto da McLaren na Fórmula 1 (2019-)]. We’ve been through hard times and good times, and for me, bringing something back to them makes me feel like I’ve done my part. I’m proud of myself and proud of everyone who, I hope, cried.”
He admitted that it was a honor competing against drivers like Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri and acknowledged that the season was long and difficult, but that the pressure made him do his best: “When I was in difficulties, that’s when I showed the best of myself”he stated.
The return to the big titles almost 20 years later
With Lando Norris’ victory, McLaren wins its first drivers’ world title since 2008, the year in which Lewis Hamilton won his first championship. This triumph puts end to a 17 year fast no driver titles for the team and ends Red Bull’s hegemonywhich has dominated since 2021, with Max Verstappen’s four consecutive victories.
With this achievement, Lando Norris becomes the 13th McLaren driver to win the World Drivers’ Championshipjuntado-so a list of F1 and F1
