Lando Norris claimed his first Formula 1 world title after finishing third at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Despite Max Verstappen winning the race, Norris secured just enough points to take the championship by a narrow margin. His measured drive under pressure at Yas Marina marked the culmination of a consistent and determined season.
The final race delivered intense drama. Starting from the front row, Norris lost a position early to teammate Oscar Piastri but maintained composure throughout a series of strategic pit stops and close on-track battles. Holding third place became crucial: any lower finish would have cost him the title. Norris managed the pressure flawlessly, bringing the car home exactly where he needed to.
Verstappen controlled the race at the front, but his victory was not enough to overturn the points deficit. The outcome ended his run of consecutive championships and reshaped the competitive hierarchy of Formula 1.
For McLaren, Norris’s triumph was a milestone — the team’s first drivers’ title since 2008. For Norris, it was the fulfillment of a long-standing ambition, earned through consistency, resilience, and steady performance across the season.
