Lando Norris clinched the Drivers’ Championship title, becoming the 11th British driver to do so, with a third-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Going into the race, Norris held a 12-point lead over Max Verstappen, the reigning champion, with his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri also in contention, trailing Verstappen by four points.
Despite missing out on a chance to secure the title in Qatar due to a strategic error by McLaren, Norris faced intense pressure heading into the Abu Dhabi race. The scenario was simple: a podium finish would crown him world champion. Norris set the stage by outqualifying Piastri and starting behind Verstappen on the grid.
During the race, Norris initially lost a position to Piastri but later had to fend off Charles Leclerc’s challenge. After a well-timed pit stop to avoid being undercut, Norris found himself battling through traffic and ultimately overtaking Tsunoda. Verstappen’s teammate, Tsunoda, was penalized for aggressive defending, aiding Norris in his pursuit.
As Norris extended his lead over Leclerc, Piastri made his final pit stop, prompting McLaren to react swiftly. With a seamless pit stop, Norris maintained his position comfortably. Meanwhile, Verstappen overtook Piastri on track, leading the Australian to make his sole pit stop.
Despite Leclerc closing in on Norris in the final laps, the Brit managed his tires well to secure the victory and the championship. The culmination of a seven-year F1 journey, Norris’s triumph marked a return to glory for British motorsport.