Lando Norris has done it! The McLaren star is the new Formula 1 Drivers' World Champion, clinching the title at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The emotional third-place finish was just enough for the 26-year-old Briton to hold off a late-season surge from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, securing the crown by a razor-thin two-point margin.
Starting second on the grid, Norris showed tremendous composure under intense pressure throughout the race. Despite a flawless victory by race-winner Verstappen, and a P2 finish by McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, Norris's controlled drive saw him cross the line in the vital podium position he needed.
The victory marks a landmark achievement for Norris, who has been with McLaren since his teenage years, ending a long wait for the team's first Drivers' Champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2008. Visibly moved on the podium, Norris dedicated the win to his parents and the entire team, stating, "This is ours."
The title fight, which was a thrilling three-way battle for much of the season, culminated in one of the closest finales in F1 history. Norris's triumph—a testament to his consistent driving and the rapid development of the McLaren car—cemented his status as Britain’s first World Champion since 2020. The victory marks a glorious end to a grueling campaign and the dawn of a new era in Formula 1.