Inner battle that unlocked the new champion's destiny

In becoming Britain's 11th F1 world champion, Lando Norris discovered a critical edge while remaining true to his values and he did it 'my way', writes Kieran Jackson in Abu Dhabi -

- Kieran Jackson

The phrase “Lando Norris - world champion” has long been scribed into hardcover.

A decade ago, the baby-faced Somerset racer was the chief protagonist in a 32-page children's book, depicting his karting rivalry with compatriot Callum Ilott. At that point, it was an oldschool marketing ploy, telling the story of Norris's victory at the Essay Karting Circuit in northern France, when in 2014 he became the youngest-ever karting world champion, aged just 14.

Two and a half years later, Norris signed for McLaren's driver development programme. The rest is history.

Those days on the road as a junior, with his father Adam and mother Cisca by his side, all came flooding back on one emotional evening in Abu Dhabi as Norris, 26, became Britain's 11th Formula One world champion.

"All those years ago, when I saw F1 on the TV and I saw a go-kart for the first time, those memories were there on the last couple of laps," Norris said, after sealing the podium finish he needed on Sunday night to pip race winner Max Verstappen to the 2025 title by two points.

"It took me back to where it all started. I wouldn't be here without my parents, the sacrifices they've made, my brothers and sisters, just everything that goes into achieving what we all achieved today. This is not my world championship. This is ours."

By the time a shattered Norris slumped onto the press conference sofa in the Yas Marina press centre, powered only by a combination of Monster energy drink, an undisclosed alcoholic spirit and prizewinning adrenaline, it had been nearly two hours since the chequered flag had waved. A dozen interviews down already, Norris would have been forgiven for wanting to be anywhere else but here.