Lando Norris secured his place in history as the 11th British driver to claim the Drivers’ Championship title by finishing third in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Heading into the race weekend, Norris led the World Championship standings with a 12-point lead over Max Verstappen, the reigning champion. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, was also in contention, trailing Verstappen by four points.
Despite missing out on a chance to clinch the title in Qatar due to a strategic error by McLaren, Norris faced immense pressure going into the Abu Dhabi race.
The scenario was clear – a podium finish would crown Norris as the world champion. He set the stage by outqualifying Piastri and starting alongside Verstappen on the front row.
During the race, Norris initially lost a position to Piastri but managed to stay ahead of Leclerc, who posed a threat with strong race pace.
Strategic pit stops and decisive maneuvers allowed Norris to maintain his position and build a comfortable gap to his rivals. Verstappen’s teammate received a penalty for weaving on track, further aiding Norris’s charge.
As the race progressed, Norris managed his lead effectively, responding to Leclerc’s advances and eventually crossing the finish line to claim the championship.
After a seven-year journey in Formula 1, Norris’s triumph marked a significant moment for British motorsport, reclaiming the top spot on the world stage.