Emotional Lando Norris jokes he 'looks like a loser' after clinching maiden F1 World Championship

Lando Norris became a Formula 1 World Champion for the first time, securing the title with a third-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The McLaren driver entered the race with a 12-point lead but faced immediate pressure when teammate Oscar Piastri overtook him on the opening lap, putting him perilously close to the danger zone. Despite the threat from Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, Norris held on to the final podium spot, clinching the championship and ending his and McLaren's long wait for the ultimate prize.

Why it matters:

Norris's victory marks a monumental shift in the F1 landscape, breaking the recent stranglehold at the top and delivering McLaren its first Drivers' Championship since Lewis Hamilton in 2008. His emotional reaction underscores the immense pressure and personal journey of a driver who has been with the Woking-based team for nearly a decade, evolving through its difficult years to finally reach the pinnacle of the sport.

The details:

• The race was far from straightforward for Norris, who lost a position to teammate Oscar Piastri on the first lap and spent the race fending off Charles Leclerc's Ferrari to secure the necessary points.
• A late-race investigation for a potential track limits violation while passing Yuki Tsunoda added a moment of tension, but stewards took no action, deeming the move legal.
• In his post-race interview, an overwhelmed Norris paid tribute to his team, family, and rivals, specifically thanking Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri for a season-long battle that pushed him to the limit.

The big picture:

This championship is the culmination of a multi-year rebuild for McLaren and a testament to Norris's loyalty and growth. After signing a long-term contract extension during a period when the team was not competitive, his decision has now been vindicated in the most spectacular fashion. His title ends Max Verstappen's reign and signals the arrival of a new, highly competitive era at the front of the grid, with McLaren firmly re-established as a championship-winning force.

What's next:

The focus now shifts to 2026, where Norris will begin his title defense. The challenge will be immense, with a motivated Verstappen and Red Bull seeking to reclaim the crown, a rapidly improving Ferrari, and a teammate in Piastri who has proven he can win races. For now, Norris and McLaren can celebrate a historic achievement that rewrites the recent narrative of Formula 1.