In the immediate aftermath of securing his maiden Formula One World Championship, Lando Norris has opened up about the surreal final laps of the decisive Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the celebrations that stretched into the early hours.
The McLaren driver clinched the title with a calculated third-place finish at the Yas Marina Circuit, edging out race-winner Max Verstappen by a narrow two-point margin after a season-long battle that also involved his teammate, Oscar Piastri.
Describing the climax of the race, the 26-year-old Briton compared the experience to a cinematic sequence. “It was like watching a film of my own life,” Norris recounted. He explained that while concentrating intensely on his driving, a flood of memories—from his earliest days in karting to the pivotal moments of his F1 career—played through his mind in a matter of moments.
“The coolest part was having these flashbacks,” he said. “It was a total montage, all the way to that final corner. Seeing the checkered flag from inside my helmet and that instant where you can finally let go… that was the moment. I’ll hold onto that feeling.”
After securing the championship, Norris’s celebration was as relatable as it was triumphant. He partied with friends at a hotel overlooking the track until six in the morning, capping the night with a visit to a fast-food restaurant. “I ended up with a Sausage McMuffin,” he admitted with a laugh. “The breakfast of champions? Absolutely not. I regretted it immediately.”
The path to the title was not straightforward. Norris faced significant challenges earlier in the season, struggling with the handling of his car, particularly in qualifying sessions. This period allowed Piastri to build a lead in the standings. However, focused development from the team and personal perseverance turned the season around.
McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella highlighted Norris’s resilience during that difficult phase as a critical factor in his ultimate success. “The way Lando responded to our early-season difficulties was a major turning point,” Stella noted. “He embarked on a structured process of improvement—on a personal level and in his racecraft—that was remarkable in its intensity and effectiveness.”
Norris also credited his intense duel with Verstappen the previous season for hardening his resolve. “Last year’s fight taught me so much, even though it ended early,” he stated. “It proved to me that I could compete at that very top level.”
As the eleventh British driver to win the championship, Norris steps into a legendary lineage but insists the newfound fame will not alter his character. “Externally, things will change, but I won’t change,” he affirmed. “I have no intention of becoming a different person because of this. I really hope I don’t.”