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McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain reacts after changing into a world champion after the Abu Dhabi Method One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
Darko Bandic/AP
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Darko Bandic/AP
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — McLaren driver Lando Norris clinched his first Method 1 title on the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.
Pink Bull driver and defending champion Max Verstappen received the race with Norris putting third behind his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri in second, which allowed Norris to complete two factors forward of Verstappen within the season-long standings.
Piastri was additionally in competition for his first F1 title and completed third within the standings, 13 factors behind Norris.
The 26-year-old Norris turned the primary British champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2020, and he additionally denied Verstappen a fifth straight title.
Norris entered the three-way battle 12 factors forward of Verstappen and 16 forward of Piastri.
Verstappen began from pole place for Pink Bull with Norris on the entrance row beside him and Piastri third on the grid. Verstappen wanted Norris to be fourth or decrease and Norris needed to end exterior the highest 5 if Piastri received.
Verstappen’s astounding late-season cost got here near unseating each McLaren drivers after that they had shared the lead all through the season after which had been undone by driver and team-strategy errors.
However even Verstappen’s season-leading eighth win and 71st of his profession couldn’t cease Norris, who stored his composure on Sunday having been below extreme strain in current weeks.
The McLaren motorhome erupted with pleasure and CEO Zak Brown congratulated Norris on the workforce radio in his standard jovial method.
“Lando, that is Zak from McLaren. Is that this the world champion hotline? You probably did it! You probably did it! Superior,” Brown mentioned.
Norris did not know whether or not to snigger or cry. He did each.
“Oh my God, thanks a lot. I like you guys. Thanks for every little thing,” Norris mentioned after which broke down in tears.
After crossing the road, Norris stayed in in his automotive for a number of moments, visibly emotional. His dad and mom had been on the aspect of the monitor and he went over to hug them earlier than celebrating along with his McLaren engineers and mechanics.
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