Norris holds his nerve as he takes his first F1 crown

MCLAREN driver Lando Norris held his nerve but could not hold back the tears after clinching his first Formula 1 title at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.

- By JEROME PUGMIRE

Red Bull driver and defending champion Max Verstappen won the race with Norris placing third behind his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri in second, which allowed Norris to finish two points ahead of Verstappen in the season-long standings.

“It’s incredible. It is pretty surreal. I've dreamed of this for a long, long time,’ said the 26-year-old Norris, who started his Fl career as a test and reserve driver with McLaren. “I feel like I did my part for the team this year and I’m very proud of myself for that. I'm even more proud for everyone who I hopefully made cry”

Norris became Britain’s 11th F1 champion, a racing journey that began with kart racing when he was eight years old. The first of his 11 Fl race wins came last year, when he finished second overall in the standings.

Piastri was also in contention for his first F1 title and finished third in the standings, 13 points behind Norris, who ended the season with seven wins and 423 points.

Norris became the first British champion since Lewis Hamilton won his record-equaling seventh title in 2020, and also denied Verstappen a fifth straight title.

“Oh God. I've not cried in a while. It's a long journey. First of all, I want to say a big thanks to my guys, my parents,’ Norris said a few minutes after the race. “I now know what Max feels like a little bit. I want to congratulate him and Oscar, too.”