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Lando Norris claimed his first Formula One world drivers' championship on Sunday, ending Max Verstappen's four-year dominance in a nail-biting finale at the Yas Marina circuit that came down to a mere two-point margin.
The 26-year-old Briton finished third in the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix behind race winner Verstappen and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, securing enough points to deny the Dutchman a fifth consecutive title. The championship marks Britain's first drivers' crown since Lewis Hamilton in 2020 and McLaren's 13th overall.
"Thank you guys, you made a kid's dream come true," Norris told his team over radio after crossing the finish line, his voice breaking with emotion.
The victory caps a turbulent 24-race campaign that saw the championship lead swing between Norris and Piastri for much of the season, with Verstappen mounting a late challenge that ultimately fell just short. Sunday's race marked the first time since 2010 that more than two drivers contested the title at the final round.
Standing on the podium beneath the floodlights at Yas Marina, a tearful Norris reflected on his journey to motorsport's pinnacle. "I haven't cried in awhile, I didn't think I would cry but I did," he said. "I want to thank my mum, my dad, they've supported me since the beginning."
The championship represents a personal milestone for Norris, who has spent nine years with McLaren since joining the team. "For me to bring something back to them, I feel like I did my part for the team this year so I'm proud of myself," he said.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown praised the season-long effort. "That was exciting, a little too exciting, awesome," said the American. "What an effort, Lando and Oscar, what a fantastic season!"
Norris's path to the title tested both his skill and mental fortitude. The season began with teammate Piastri appearing dominant, winning three consecutive races in Bahrain, Jeddah and Miami. During this period, Norris struggled publicly with self-criticism, berating himself for minor errors as he chased perfection.
The turning point came in Monaco, where a more composed Norris secured pole position with a track record lap and claimed his first win in the Principality. He followed with victories in Austria, Silverstone and Hungary, building momentum despite a DNF after colliding with Piastri in Canada.
By Zandvoort, however, Norris trailed his teammate by 34 points after a mechanical breakdown in the Dutch Grand Prix. The championship appeared lost until Piastri's form wavered under pressure. An opening lap crash in Baku following what he called a "silly error" marked a shift in the title battle.
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The intense competition between the McLaren drivers strained team dynamics, culminating in a wheel-to-wheel collision on the streets of Singapore. "So are we cool with Lando just barging me out of the way there?" Piastri complained over radio after the incident.
McLaren's "papaya rules" policy of allowing drivers to race without team orders faced its sternest test throughout the campaign. The team had already secured back-to-back constructors' titles in Singapore under team principal Andrea Stella and Brown's leadership.
Norris finally overtook Piastri in the championship standings in Mexico, reclaiming the lead for the first time since April. A dominant sprint and race weekend from pole position in Brazil strengthened his position, though McLaren's dramatic double disqualification in Las Vegas briefly reopened the door for Verstappen.
Verstappen's victory in Qatar last weekend set up the tense Abu Dhabi finale, where Norris needed only a podium finish to secure the crown. Piastri, who had led the championship for much of the season, finished third in the final standings.
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