Max Verstappen went from pole position to a victory lap at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, but the real winner was Lando Norris, who secured his first Formula One world championship.

Norris entered the season finale needing to finish in the top three in the race at the Yas Marina Circuit in the United Arab Emirates, and that’s just what he did. His third-place finish behind Red Bull’s Verstappen and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri gave Norris the season championship by two points.

With the Norris victory, Verstappen relinquished the title of F1 champion, which he won the past four seasons and held for nearly 1,500 days.

“I’ve not cried in a while and I didn’t think I would cry but I did,” said a jubilant Norris, a 26-year-old Brit.

“I mean, it feels amazing. I now know what Max feels like. I want to congratulate Max and Oscar, my two biggest competitors the whole season. It’s been a pleasure to race against both of them and an honor. I’ve learned a lot from both of them as well.

“I’ve enjoyed it and it has been a long year but we did it and I’m so proud of everyone.”

Norris finishes the season with seven Grand Prix wins in 24 events, while Verstappen won eight. Norris had 18 podium finishes and seven poles.

He is the first McLaren driver to win the F1 championship since Lewis Hamilton did so in 2008 when he captured the first of his seven titles.

It was the first time since 1998 that McLaren won both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles.

Verstappen, a 28-year-old from the Netherlands, made a fierce run at the season championship, slotting in 104 points out of the lead after Oscar Piastri’s win at the Dutch Grand Prix on Aug. 31.

Piastri stood atop the standings most of the season but faltered down the stretch. Verstappen won five of the eight races heading into Abu Dhabi to put him back in the race.

Piastri finished 13 points behind his teammate and in third place for the season.

“It’s been a fun challenge,” said Piastri, a 24-year-old Australian. “At certain points maybe it doesn’t feel that fun but it’s been a really enjoyable season for both of us — and I’m saying that as the person who’s not champion.

“I’ve learned plenty of things (from him) along the way and it’s nice to know that it goes both ways. There are plenty more years to come of intense weekends and tight battles. Ultimately it has made both of us better drivers and contributed to the success that both of us have had.”

–Field Level Media