Lando Norris emotional after 'long journey' leads to F1 world title

Lando Norris became Formula 1's 35th world champion in Abu Dhabi, securing the title with a composed drive to third place. The McLaren driver, who started the race with a 12-point lead over Max Verstappen, held his nerve through a challenging Grand Prix, emerging from his pit stop into traffic and managing pressure from behind to cross the line and claim the crown.

Why it matters:

Norris's victory marks the culmination of a seven-year F1 career spent entirely with McLaren, a partnership that has endured significant highs and lows. His title breaks a long drought for the Woking-based team and validates their recent resurgence, proving that a driver can achieve the ultimate success without switching to a historically dominant team like Red Bull or Mercedes.

The details:

• Entering the season finale, Norris needed only to finish third or better to secure the championship, regardless of Verstappen's result.
• The race presented immediate pressure as he lost a position to teammate Oscar Piastri on the opening lap.
• His strategic pit stop released him into mid-pack traffic, requiring clean overtakes and race management to maintain his crucial podium position.
• Upon climbing from his car, a tearful Norris paid tribute to his team, family, and rivals, stating he now understands 'a little bit' of what Verstappen has felt in his dominant seasons.

The big picture:

Norris's championship is a story of loyalty and development. Having joined McLaren's junior program in 2017 and making his F1 debut with the team in 2019, he has been instrumental in their climb from the midfield. His title is the first Drivers' Championship for McLaren since Lewis Hamilton's in 2008, symbolizing a full-circle moment for the historic team and rewarding their faith in a long-term project with their lead driver.

What's next:

The focus for Norris and McLaren will immediately shift to defending their hard-earned titles in 2027. The emotional victory in Abu Dhabi solidifies Norris's status as a top-tier driver and will intensify the already fierce rivalry with Verstappen and the rapidly improving Piastri. For McLaren, the challenge is to build on this success and establish a new era of sustained competitiveness at the front of the grid.