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, Norris held a 12-point lead over Max Verstappen, the reigning champion, with his teammate Oscar Piastri trailing the Dutch driver by four points.
Despite missing out on an earlier chance to win in Qatar due to a strategic error by McLaren, Norris faced intense pressure going into the Abu Dhabi race. Qualifying saw Norris secure a front-row start alongside Verstappen, with Piastri close behind.
During the race, Norris battled for position, initially losing out to Piastri but ultimately regaining ground. With strategic pit stops and decisive moves, Norris maintained a competitive edge over his rivals, including Charles Leclerc, who posed a threat but couldn’t close the gap significantly.
As the race progressed, Norris managed his tire life effectively, fending off challenges from Leclerc and securing a comfortable lead. With a flawless pit stop and strategic maneuvers, Norris solidified his position at the front, ultimately crossing the finish line to claim the championship title, marking a significant milestone in his seven-year Formula 1 journey and reaffirming British motorsport’s prominence on the global stage.