The Briton Lando Norris became Formula 1 world champion for the first time. The 26-year-old successfully defended his lead in the Drivers’ World Championship at the season finale in Abu Dhabi. He now replaces Max Verstappen after four titles in a row.

Norris finished the 24th and final race of the season in third place. For the McLaren team, this means the first drivers’ title since Lewis Hamilton 17 years ago. In the end, two points separated Norris from the new runner-up Verstappen in the World Cup standings.

Norris had entered the last 58 rounds of the year as the championship leader and still had to reach the podium for the title. His teammate Oscar Piastri came second. The race was won by Verstappen, whose 71st victory of his career and the eighth of the year were not enough to clinch his fifth world title. Shortly after the start, Norris lost his second starting place to Piastri. After that, the Englishman drove a controlled race.