Lando Norris is Formula 1 world champion for the first time in his career. The McLaren driver, despite some thrills in the last Abu Dhabi Grand Prix of the season, climbs to the top of the world thanks to third place obtained behind Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri. The Dutchman, however, was not satisfied with his eighth success this year on the Yas Marina track, which led him to close the championship just two points behind Norris.
An extraordinary year for the Briton who, after having achieved 7 victories, 15 podiums and 7 pole positions, can finally unleash all his joy. Excellent fourth place for Charles Leclerc, which allows Ferrari to raise its head by arriving at the foot of the podium ahead of George Russell’s Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton’s other Red car recovers from sixteenth to eighth place, while Andrea Kimi Antonelli doesn’t go beyond fifteenth place. Completing the top 10 of the day were Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), Esteban Ocon (Haas), Oliver Bearman (Haas) and Lance Stroll (Aston Martin).
A cry of joy from Lando Norris, fresh F1 world champion. In connection with the radio team, the English driver thanked everyone in tears, then joking ‘I’m not crying…’. For Norris it is the first world championship in his career, won after an exhilarating season and decided at the last GP with just two points over Verstappen. The tears continued in the post-race interview: ‘I didn’t think I would cry, but instead I cry. And I’m proud to make many people cry: it’s been a long journey and I want to thank the team and my family, who supported me from the beginning. It’s a crazy joy.”