Tearful McLaren driver Norris clinches "amazing" first Formula 1 world title

A tearful Lando Norris clinched his maiden Formula One world title in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, ending Max Verstappen's four-year championship reign.

The Briton finished third in the season-ending Grand Prix in the UAE behind Red Bull's race winner Verstappen and the other title challenger, McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, to claim the crown by two points.

After crossing the line his team engineer told him via radio: "That's it mate, you are world champion, world champion!"

"Thank you guys, you made a kid's dream come true," he replied.

"I haven't cried in a while, I didn't think I would cry but I did," Norris later said on the podium in the desert night at the floodlit Yas Marina Circuit. "I want to thank my mum, my dad, they've supported me since the beginning. It feels amazing, I know now what Max feels like a little bit. I want to congratulate both Max and Oscar, I've enjoyed it, it's been a long year!" he added.

McLaren, helmed by team principal Andrea Stella and chief executive officer Zak Brown, sealed a second straight constructors' title in Singapore last month.

"That was exciting, a little too exciting, awesome," said Brown. "What an effort, Lando and Oscar, what a fantastic season!" added the American.

Norris becomes the first British world champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2020, with this drivers' crown marking the 13th all-time for McLaren.

The 26-year-old's success comes just over half-a-century after Brazilian racer Emerson Fittipaldi claimed the British marque's first drivers' title in 1974.

A galaxy of F1 greats followed - James Hunt (1976), Niki Lauda (1984), Alain Prost (1985, 1986, 1989), Ayrton Senna (1988, 1990, 1991), Mikka Hakkinen (1998, 1999) and Hamilton in 2008 (before picking up six more with Mercedes).

Assessing his path to glory Norris added: "As we've seen many times, anything can happen. So I just kept pushing. I wanted to fight to the end. (Verstappen and Piastri) certainly did not make my life easy this year. But I am happy! It has been a long journey with McLaren, I've been with them for nine years. For me to bring something back to them, I feel like I did my part for the team this year so I'm proud of myself."

In the end, just two points separated Norris and Verstappen, with the Briton toppling the Dutchman 423-421. Australia's Piastri, who led the championship standings for much of the season before being overtaken by Norris in Mexico in late October, finished third with 410 points.

Sunday's season finale was the first time the title was decided in a clash involving more than two drivers since a four-way scrap at the final race in Abu Dhabi in 2010.