Additional Coverage:
- Lando Norris dethrones Max Verstappen as F1 champion (foxnews.com)
Lando Norris Crowned Formula 1 World Champion in Thrilling Finish
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Lando Norris has officially claimed his first Formula 1 Drivers’ World Championship, bringing an end to a nail-biting season that saw the title race go down to the wire. Despite finishing third at Sunday night’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the McLaren driver secured enough points to clinch the coveted title, finishing just two points ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and 13 points clear of his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri.
An emotional Norris expressed his gratitude, crediting his family and the entire McLaren team for their unwavering support throughout what he described as a “long journey.” “It feels amazing.
I now know what Max feels like a little bit,” Norris remarked, adding, “I’ve enjoyed it. It’s been a long year, but we did it.
I’m so proud of everyone.”
Norris becomes the 35th driver to win an F1 World Championship, a testament to a season marked by intense competition and dramatic shifts in momentum. The British driver kicked off the season with a win, but Piastri quickly made his mark, securing four victories in the subsequent five races. Verstappen then notched his second win before Norris returned to the top of the podium.
The middle portion of the season saw Norris and Piastri dominate, before Verstappen broke an eight-race winless streak at the Italian Grand Prix. The Red Bull star then found his stride, winning six of the final nine races and making a late-season charge for the championship. The title race was further complicated when both Norris and Piastri were disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix, offering a glimmer of hope to their rivals.
However, Norris held his nerve, delivering a strong performance in the final races to secure his maiden F1 title. His victory ends Verstappen’s impressive four-year reign as world champion. Lewis Hamilton was the last driver before Verstappen to claim an F1 title, dominating the sport from 2014 to 2020, with Nico Rosberg’s 2016 win being the only exception during that period.
Norris’s triumph also marks a significant milestone for McLaren, as he becomes the first driver from the team to win a World Championship since Lewis Hamilton achieved the feat in 2008.
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- Lando Norris dethrones Max Verstappen as F1 champion (foxnews.com)