Formula 1

Lando Norris is Formula One World Champion after podium in Abu Dhabi GP

Fraser Masefield
1 month ago
8 min read

Land Norris became Britain’s 11th Formula One World Champion after finishing in third place in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix behind Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri.

Despite being passed on the opening lap by McLaren teammate and fellow title contender Piastri, Norris held his nerve to hold the podium place he needed to become world champion.

“Oh god. I’ve not cried in a while. I didn’t think I’d cry, but I did,” said Norris after stepping from his car. “It’s a long journey, a long journey.

“First of all, I want to say thanks to my guys, everyone at McLaren, my parents, my mum. They’re the ones supporting me from the beginning. It feels amazing. I now know what Max feels like a little bit.

“I want to congratulate him and Oscar, my two biggest competitors all season. Been a pleasure to race against both of them. It’s been an honour. I’ve learned a lot from both of them. I’ve enjoyed it, it’s been a long year. We did it, and I’m so proud of everyone.”

For race winner Verstappen, who did everything possible in the last few races to take the title to the wire, there would be no fifth successive title to equal the great Michael Schumacher.

Still, for the magnanimous Dutchman, he remains a great of the sport, and one admired the world over for making it such a great title battle.

“We’ve had a rollercoaster of a year. There have been times after a race where you don’t know why it’s been bad, this bad or inconsistent.

“It’s not easy but the team has showed that they never give up,” added Verstappen.

“At the end, of course, if doesn’t matter if you finish behind by one point, ten points, twenty points, you are behind. It’s two points now at the end but it’s been cool. I’ve been enjoying it.

“In general it has been a tough battle between him (Lando) and Oscar. At one point I got into the fight. But I think winning your first is always super emotional and very special.

“Everyone on the grid is always dreaming about that, that moment. So I hope he really enjoys it tonight with his family and, of course, his team.”

And for Piastri, it was certainly a case of what might have been. The likeable Australian was in a seemingly dominant position after the Dutch GP, holding a 34-point advantage.

Be it pressure, circuits or circumstance it wasn’t to be this time. But surely, for the Melbournian, Old Haileyburian and now UK resident, his time will surely come.

“We gave it everything, we tried a bit of a gamble on strategy, tried absolutely everything to give us the best chance to win the race and win the championship,” said Piastri afterwards.

“Ultimately, we didn’t have the pace today but gave it everything.

“It’s been a fun challenge. Obviously at certain points it doesn’t feel that fun, but I think its been a really enjoyable season for both of us probably and I’m saying that as the person who’s not champion, so I’ve learned plenty of things along the way.

“Even in the last three years I’ve learned everything from what Lando does and it’s nice to know that it goes both ways, so there’s plenty more years to come of intense weekends and tight battles.

“Ultimately, it’s made both of us better drivers and in some ways contributed to the success both of us have had this year.”

THE TALE OF THE RACE

With the three title protagonists occupying the top three grid positions, the start was as critical as ever.

For Norris, the only job was to keep his nose clean, avoid any contact and see how the race developed.

Piastri and Tsunoda were the only drivers in the top ten to gamble on the hard compound Pirelli tyre, playing the long game and possibly acting as wing men to their teammates.

And that’s exactly how it played out, the top three maintaining their grid positions into Turn 1.

But it was Piastri who got the better of Norris by the end of the lap, setting about Verstappen on the harder compound tyre.

George Russell was another loser on the opening lap, dropping two places to Leclerc and Alonso.

It was now a real worry for Norris. If Verstappen won the race and he was to drop to fourth, he would lose the title by a solitary point.

The only good news was that Russell, arguably a real threat, was trapped behind Leclerc and Alonso.

With Verstappen doing Verstappen things when in clean air and leading the race, the race behind became the main interest.

Suddenly, after another weekend of struggles, Ferrari seemed to have pace.

Having Leclerc all over the back of his gearbox was not something that Norris would have welcomed or indeed bargained for. He would have to work for this world title. It would not be given to him.

One other situation would also work to Norris’ advantage. So long as Verstappen led the race, Piastri would be unable to be champion. In which case, he would play wing man to his teammate come the end of the race.

As always, the race would boil down to those all-important series of pit stops.

And Norris was the first of the championship contenders to pit, coming in on lap 17 for a fresh set of hard compound tyres to take him to the end of the race but with overtaking to do.

Kimi Antonelli was first, followed by his good friend Carlos Sainz. Lance Stroll and Liam Lawson were ticked off with equal ease, Norris trying to win the title like a champion.

So long as Norris covered off his other friend Russell, all would be good for third place.

Irritatingly for Norris, Yuki Tsunoda was holding him up and with a fast Ferrari also close behind.

Then more drama. With Tsunoda almost pushing Norris wide onto the grass and weaving unacceptably, Verstappen pitted on lap 24 to rejoin in second behind Piastri.

Had we seen quite this drama before involving Verstappen and an English driver in an Abu Dhabi title fight? Who could forget the 2021 title decider and the current drama was following a similar pattern.

Norris was forced to box once more on lap 41 to cover off Leclerc, a neat and tidy stop putting him out in good position just as Verstappen overtook Piastri for the net race lead.

Piastri was either going to be Norris’s friend or lifetime enemy. And the Aussie pitted a lap later. It appeared that the ‘F1 Ashes’ battle was going the way of England. But with a huge Aussie helping hand.

It was now a straight fight to the chequered flag and, barring more Safety Car drama, technical failures or a charging Leclerc, Norris would be champion.

And so it came to pass, the man from Bristol becoming the eleventh British World Champion.

He follows in the distinguished footsteps of Sir Lewis Hamilton, Sir Jackie Stewart, Jim Clark, Graham and Damon Hill, Nigel Mansell, Jenson Button, Mike Hawthorn, James Hunt and John Surtees.

“Not many people in Formula One get to experience what I’ve done this season, this year, so I’m happy for everyone. Happy for everyone more than me. I’m just crazy happy,” added Norris.

“It’s been a long journey with McLaren. I’ve been with them for nine years. We’ve been through some crazy difficult times and plenty of big times, so for me to feel like I can bring something back to them.

“It’s their first drivers’ for many years so I feel like I did my part for them this year so I’m very proud of myself but even more proud of everyone I’ve hopefully made cry.”

Fraser Masefield

Fraser is a sports and motorsports editor with over 25 years experience. The former head editor of WilliamsF1, BMW Motorsport, Jaguar Racing and Virgin Media, he has also worked for Autosport, ESPNF1 and Eurosport amongst others.

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