In a nail-biting season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, McLaren's Lando Norris has been crowned the Formula 1 world champion for the first time in his career. The 26-year-old Briton sealed the title by finishing in third place, enough to hold off Red Bull's Max Verstappen by a mere two points.
Winning 'My Way': Norris's Proudest Achievement
An emotional Norris stated he was immensely proud of the manner in which he claimed the championship, emphasising a clean and fair racing approach. He has often faced criticism for lacking an overly aggressive 'killer instinct', but proved this season that his style could prevail.
"That's one of the things that makes me most proud," Norris said. "I feel like I have just managed to win it the way I wanted to win it, which was not by being someone I'm not. I just won it my way – by being a fair driver, by trying to be an honest driver."
He admitted the tension was immense in the closing moments, saying: "I felt calm until three corners to go, I started to shake a little bit. Then I got to see the team when I went over the line and this is a moment that I'll never forget."
A Season of Comeback and Refinement
Norris's path to the title was far from straightforward. As recently as August, he was a daunting 34 points behind his own teammate, Oscar Piastri, after a mechanical retirement in Zandvoort. This setback became a catalyst for change.
"I was like: 'Oh, shoot. I'm quite a long way behind against a pretty freaking fast driver, and I've got to step it up,'" Norris revealed. He brought in new professionals to his personal team to hone his approach, a move he credits with unlocking more of his ability and sparking the run of results that ultimately won him the championship.
Verstappen's Valiant Effort and Testy Exchange
Despite winning the race in Abu Dhabi, Max Verstappen fell just short of a fifth consecutive title. The Dutch driver, who secured eight Grand Prix wins this season, took pride in his performance, having clawed back from a 104-point deficit at one stage.
"Yeah, I think so, I mean, I have no regrets about my season," Verstappen stated, believing he had driven at his peak. He praised the team's positive atmosphere and confidence heading into next year.
However, he reacted testily when questioned about a costly incident at the Spanish Grand Prix, where a penalty for colliding with George Russell cost him nine points. "You forget about all the other stuff that happened in my season," Verstappen snapped. "The only thing that you mention is Barcelona. I knew that would come. It is part of racing."
Norris's teammate, Oscar Piastri, who finished second in Abu Dhabi, reflected on a season of immense learning. "I learned a lot about myself," the Australian said, capping off a strong year for the resurgent McLaren team. The 2025 season now promises a fierce battle as Norris defends his hard-earned crown.
