Britain's Lando Norris wins World Championship after knife-edge F1 decider

Verstappen, who is a four-time world champion, capitalised on his pole position start to win the race, but it was ultimately not enough to beat the British driver in the overall standings.

The Dutchman, who was the defending world champion, nearly pulled off a remarkable comeback that has been hailed by many as the greatest in F1 history.

He was relying on Norris to finish outside the top three positions.

Norris went into Sunday’s race in Abu Dhabi with Verstappen trailing him by 12 points and McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri by 16 points.

F1 has now seen 11 British drivers crowned world champions, with Norris joining the elite club.

One of the undisputed greatest of all time in F1, Lewis Hamilton, was the last British driver to win in 2020.

The race was remarkably clean, with no yellow or red flags and no safety car being called.

Verstappen started from pole position, with the two McLarens in second and third.

Piastri went around the outside of Norris and moved into second place as lights out commenced.

After dropping to seventh place, Norris overtook Lance Stroll and Liam Lawson in one go on lap 19.

The McLaren driver continued his momentum and went past Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda, but was forced off the track in doing so.

Stewards noted both drivers but ultimately imposed a five-second penalty on Tsunoda for moving on the straight.

Norris continued and finished in third place, which was ultimately enough to secure the World Championship for the young Briton.

Verstappen won the race, with Piastri coming in second.

Hamilton, who has concluded a nightmare first season at Ferrari, scored points in the final race of the season, coming in the top 10.

Norris was runner-up in the 2024 Formula One World Drivers' Championship with McLaren, finishing behind Verstappen.

Speaking from inside the car, Norris was overcome with emotion.

Over the radio, the driver said: "You’ve made a kid’s dream true, thank you so much. I love you guys, thanks for everything. You deserve it. I love you mum, I love you dad, thanks for everything. I am not crying..."

After an emotional reunion with his mum, dad and girlfriend, the new World Champion said: "I have not cried in a while, I didn’t think I’d cry but I did.

"It’s a long journey, first of all I want to say a big thanks to my guys, everyone at McLaren, my parents, my mum, my dad, they are the ones who supported me since the beginning.

"Oh, I look like a loser! It feels amazing. I now know what Max feels like a little bit.

"I want to congratulate Max and Oscar, my competitors the whole season, it’s been a pleasure to race against both of them."

He added: "It’s been an honour. I’ve enjoyed it, it’s been a long year but we did it and I am so proud of everyone. You can’t not think of it, but it’s a long race until the end.

"Anything in Formula One can happen. I still wanted to fight to the end, that’s what we did, that’s what we had to do this season. They certainly didn’t make my life easy this year. I am happy so...”

"I had no idea. I didn’t care, I knew what I did was fine so I had nothing to worry about.

"Not many people in Formula One get to experience what I’ve experienced this season. I am happy for everyone more than me... I am just crazy happy."

The driver then joined Piastri and Verstappen on the podium, where the three drivers celebrated together.

Verstappen said: "Congrats guys. The way we fought back in the second half of the season, we can be really, really proud of that.

"So, don't be too disappointed. I'm definitely not disappointed. I'm really proud of everyone for not giving up."

Piastri also offered his support to his fellow teammate.

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