Lando Norris secured his place in history by clinching the Drivers’ Championship title, becoming the 11th British driver to achieve this feat following his third-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Heading into the race weekend, Norris led the World Championship standings with a 12-point advantage over defending champion Max Verstappen, with his teammate Oscar Piastri also in contention, trailing Verstappen by four points.
Although Norris missed out on a chance to claim the championship in Qatar due to a strategic error by his McLaren team, he faced immense pressure going into the Abu Dhabi race. Qualifying saw Norris edge out Piastri for second place, with Verstappen on pole position.
During the race, Norris lost a position to Piastri early on, who executed a bold move around the outside at Turn Nine. The Brit then had to fend off pressure from Charles Leclerc, who showed strong race pace for Ferrari.
Strategic pit stops and decisive overtaking moves helped Norris maintain his position, as he navigated through the race. Verstappen’s teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, received a penalty for unsportsmanlike behavior, aiding Norris in his pursuit of victory.
As the race progressed, Norris managed to extend his lead over Leclerc, while Piastri opted for a different tire strategy. With a comfortable gap and solid performance, Norris held off his competitors to secure the championship title.
The culmination of a seven-year journey in Formula 1, Norris’s victory marked a significant moment for British motorsport, reaffirming their place at the pinnacle of the racing world.