British Formula One driver Lando Norris is world champion for the first time in his career following a thrilling title-decider in the final race of the season.
The Bristol-born driver, 26, is the first British champion of the sport since his idol Lewis Hamilton won the last of his seven titles in 2020 and cut an emotional figure when his title was confirmed as he broke down on the team radio.
Much of the attention going into the race had been on Norris’ nerve, and whether he could hold it together after the title race was blown wide open after Las Vegas when he, alongside McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri, were disqualified.
But, after keeping it together in qualifying to ensure he started the race second behind relentless four-time champion Max Verstappen, he carefully navigated the next 90 minutes to finish third – enough to become the 11th British driver to win the title by a margin of just two points.
A plethora of celebrities watched on in Abu Dhabi, including Emily Ratajkowski, Gordon Ramsay and football favourites Thierry Henry, Micah Richards and Kate Scott.
Norris’s girlfriend Magui Corceiro was also among those watching the race from the McLaren garage – and as Norris crossed the line, she was among those celebrating as their star man broke down in tears over the in-car radio.
‘That’s it mate, you are world champion. Is this the world champion hotline?’ came the call down the radio from McLaren CEO Zak Brown as the party started.
He replied: ‘Thank you guys. You made a kid’s dream true. Thank you guys. I love you mum, I love you dad, thanks for everything.’
Norris looked emotional as he got out of his papaya car, wiping his eyes before being congratulated by his team mate and title rival Piastri.
First in line for a hug was Norris’s overjoyed mother Cisca, who could not contain her delight.
A loud cheer came from the crowd as the Brit took off his helmet.
His first words when interviewed were: ‘Oh God. I have not cried in a while, I didn’t think I would cry but I did. It is a long journey. I want to say a big thanks to my guys, everyone at McLaren, my parents.
‘I am not crying. My mum, my dad, they are they ones who I supported me at the beginning. Oh, I look like a loser! It feels amazing. I now know what Max feels like a bit, I want to congratulate Max and Oscar, it has been an honour.
‘It had been a long year, but we did it, and I am so proud of everyone. I knew it was a long race and anything can happen, I kept pushing until the last two or three laps but I wanted to fight to the end, that is what we had to do this season. Max and Oscar did not make my life easy this year. But I am happy.
‘Not many people in Formula One get to experience what I have experienced this year. I am happy for everyone more than me, I am crazy happy. It’s been a long journey with me and McLaren, we have been through crazy difficult times and plenty of good times. I feel like I did my part for the team this year, I am very proud of myself but more proud for everyone I have made cry.’
One of four siblings, Lando attended Millfield School, a private boarding school in Somerset. His millionaire father, Adam, paid for his karting lessons from the age of six and he left the school to pursue his racing career, with a manager and trainer paid for as he chased the dream.
He needed to finish in the top three on Sunday in Abu Dhabi to guarantee the title, and that was up in the air early when he was overtaken by Piastri on the opening lap of the race having failed to get ahead of Verstappen off the start line.
It was the top three who were battling it out to become world champion. Verstappen, who won the last four championships in a row, was 12 points behind the Brit, with Piastri a further two behind Verstappen.
All three drivers are good friends, but things have, at times, become heated. Before the race, Verstappen, who drives for Christian Horner’s former team Red Bull, put pressure on his rivals by saying that he was only in the title race ‘because of the failings of others’, referring to McLaren’s disqualification for an illegal car.
Norris hit back, saying: ‘Max knows a lot about a lot of things but he also doesn’t have a clue about other things’ – but it has generally been adjudged that there is a difference in mentality between the rivals.
Verstappen, 28, also suggested that he would have won the title much earlier had he been in a McLaren. Maybe so, but Norris managed to get the job done in the end.
Norris – now the seventh-youngest world champion in history – pitted early on in the race to try to gain an advantage, and faced having to fight through the field as Verstappen drove into the distance at the front of the grid.
There was also doubt in the final few laps. Norris was third after all pit stops were completed, but Charles Leclerc – Hamilton’s team-mate – was gaining late.
McLaren still had the option of dropping Piastri, who was out of the running, back, but didn’t need to, and Norris eventually strolled home.
In the final moments, Norris’s family watched on from his garage, including mum Cisca, looking nervous as her son was on the verge of victory.
They ran out of the garage at the end of the race to meet their son, and Norris couldn’t stop thanking them after the race. He said after the podium celebrations that he was pleased he got to share the experience with his parents.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Norris’s father Adam said: ‘It’s been a really long, hard journey. Longer than you’d think. He has always been fast.
‘There has been a lot of travelling around the world to weird and wonderful places. It’s relentless every weekend but a lot of fun. It’s good to enjoy the journey. He loved it more than everyone else.’
The Brit’s love life has been the focus of many Formula One followers. He and Corceiro had been on and off for a while, but they seem to now be as secure as ever.
Their relationship first hit the headlines when Corceiro, 23, was spotted with Norris in the back of his Fiat in 2023 – with the actress previously known as the long-term girlfriend of former Chelsea forward Joao Felix.
Reports have suggested that they have been on and off for the best part of two years. Corceiro had also been seen at Formula One races cheering on Norris alongside his family, and has also been snapped kissing the world championship contender.
Speaking on their relationship in September, Norris told Vogue: ‘We met a few years ago, but we were never really together until more recently.’
When asked what is ‘special’ about his lover, he replied: ‘Everything. She’s someone I can very much be myself with. Very down to earth and she lives quite a crazy life as well. It’s nice when we can both just [rent] a boat for the day or go home together and chill.’
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