Lando Norris Claims His First F1 World Championship As Verstappen Takes Abu Dhabi Win

Lando Norris arrived at Yas Marina knowing that a single podium would secure his dream. By the time fireworks lit up the desert sky, the 26-year-old McLaren driver stood on the brink of motorsport legend, celebrating his first Formula One world title after a tense but mature drive to third in Abu Dhabi.

Max Verstappen won the race convincingly, Oscar Piastri pushed until the final laps, but the night belonged to Norris. For the first time in more than four years, Verstappen no longer held the crown.

And for McLaren, this championship is the team’s first since Lewis Hamilton in 2008. That drought is finally over.

A Night Where History Felt Close

From lights out, the tension was immediate. Verstappen chopped across Norris at the start, squeezing him into a defensive posture and handing Piastri an opportunity to sweep around the outside at Turn 9. That bold move put Norris under real pressure, and suddenly the night’s job looked much harder than expected.

But calm has become one of Norris’ defining strengths. He absorbed the pressure, kept Charles Leclerc behind him, and settled into the rhythm required for the long game.

The Tsunoda Moment That Almost Unravelled Everything

The biggest scare arrived after the first pit stops. Norris caught Yuki Tsunoda, Verstappen’s teammate, who had not yet stopped on hard tyres.

What followed was pure theatre.

Tsunoda moved left, then right, forcing Norris into a tight squeeze between the Red Bull and the wall. Replays showed one of Norris’ wheels just outside the white line, sparking immediate fear of a penalty.

McLaren’s radio reflected the frustration. After a tense wait, the stewards confirmed they would take no further action. Tsunoda was later penalised for illegal defensive movements in what may be his final competitive F1 race.

McLaren Kept Its Cool As The Title Edge Narrowed

Even with the pressure rising, McLaren maintained its composure. Zak Brown could not resist joking on the radio as Norris crossed the line: “Is this the world champion hotline?”

Norris, overwhelmed with emotion, replied through tears. “Thanks guys, I love you all. I’m gonna cry.”

For a driver once known as F1’s nearly-man, this was the moment everything changed.

Verstappen Still Dominant On The Day

Despite losing the title, Verstappen controlled the race from start to finish, comfortably ahead of Piastri. Leclerc secured fourth after an extra stop, George Russell fought brake problems for fifth, and Fernando Alonso took sixth to lock in seventh place in the constructors’ standings for Aston Martin.

Lewis Hamilton ended a difficult first Ferrari season in ninth, at least adding a few points to wrap up a frustrating campaign.

A Season That Will Be Remembered For Years

Norris finishes the year two points ahead of Verstappen and 13 clear of Piastri, racking up a season-high 18 podiums. His consistency, rather than outright dominance, became the story of the season.

Local F1 fans celebrated wildly online. South Africans, always quick with humour and heart, posted messages calling Norris “the new papaya king” and offering him free kotas if he ever visits Mzansi.

What Comes Next

With 2026 regulation changes approaching, the landscape could shift again. Verstappen is far from done, Piastri is still growing, and McLaren suddenly looks like the sport’s most exciting long-term project.

But for now, this moment is all about Lando Norris.
The driver who spent years learning, waiting and believing is finally a world champion.

And McLaren fans can say it proudly again for the first time since 2008.

Your champion wears papaya.

{Source:ESPN Africa}

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