Formula 1 has a new champion - McLaren driver Lando Norris won the first title of his career today.
Norris finished the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in third place, behind former champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and second place went to Oscar Piastre (McLaren).
Norris won the title by two points over Verstappen, who has been the Formula 1 champion since 2021. The new champion finished the season with 423 points, while the Dutchman had 421 points. Piastre finished the season in third place with 410 points.
Norris achieved seven victories on his way to the title and was on the podium 18 times.
The McLaren driver became the 11th Briton to win the title, bringing his country its 21st title in history, and returning the championship to McLaren for the first time since 2008, when Lewis Hamilton was champion.
On the other hand, Verstappen took his eighth win of the season and 71st of his career in Abu Dhabi, with a 12,5-second lead over Piastre, while Norris was four seconds further back.
The Red Bull driver had pole position, but could only clinch the title if Norris finished outside the podium. Piastre passed Norris early on and sent him into third place, which the new Formula 1 champion held until the end.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc crossed the finish line in Abu Dhabi in fourth place, Mercedes' George Russell took fifth place, and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso took sixth place.
Esteban Ocon of Haas finished seventh, while eighth place went to Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton, who is in his first season without a podium finish at a grand prix.
In the constructors' championship, McLaren won convincingly with 833 points, second place went to Mercedes with 469 points, and Red Bull is in third place with 451 points.
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