Lando Norris clinched the Drivers’ Championship title, becoming the 11th British driver to achieve this feat by securing third place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Heading into the weekend, the 26-year-old held a 12-point lead over defending champion Max Verstappen, with his teammate Oscar Piastri also in contention, trailing Verstappen by four points.
Despite missing out on a chance to claim the championship in Qatar due to a strategic error by McLaren, Norris faced intense pressure in Abu Dhabi. Qualifying saw Norris secure a front-row start by outpacing Piastri and lining up behind Verstappen on pole position.
During the race, Norris battled with Piastri and then faced pressure from Charles Leclerc. Making a crucial pit stop to avoid being undercut, Norris strategically maneuvered through the field and eventually overtook Leclerc. Verstappen’s teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, received a penalty for improper defensive driving, aiding Norris in his pursuit of victory.
As Norris extended his lead over Leclerc, Piastri made his final pit stop, prompting McLaren to ensure a safe race for Norris. With a smooth pit stop, Norris maintained his position while Verstappen overtook Piastri on track. Despite Leclerc closing in, Norris managed his tires well and secured the win comfortably.
In the final laps, Norris controlled the race and crossed the finish line to claim the championship, marking the culmination of his seven-year journey in Formula 1 and a triumphant moment for British motorsport.
