Lando Norris secured his maiden Formula One World Championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, edging out Max Verstappen by the narrowest of margins.
The 26-year-old Bristol-born racer claimed the title with a third-place finish at Yas Marina, just two points ahead of the four-time champion who won the race.
Norris becomes the 11th British driver to lift motorsport's ultimate prize and the first from these shores since Lewis Hamilton captured his seventh crown in 2020.
The McLaren star held his composure throughout a tense season finale, having started from second on the grid behind Verstappen.
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He navigated 90 minutes of racing pressure, fending off challenges from Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and his own teammate Oscar Piastri in a three-way title battle.
Once the champagne had dried at the circuit, Norris headed to an exclusive Amber Lounge afterparty, arriving hand in hand with his girlfriend Magui Corceiro.
The festivities stretched well past 5am, with videos emerging on social media showing the newly crowned champion being hoisted into the air by friends while belting out Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline.
Further footage captured Norris singing Queen's We Are The Champions with a beaming smile, the same anthem that had echoed around Yas Marina during his podium celebrations just hours earlier.
Lando Norris secured his maiden Formula One world championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday
|REUTERS
Ferrari's Leclerc, who had pushed Norris hardest during the race itself, joined the party as the night progressed.
Dressed in a white shirt with several buttons undone, Norris was front and centre throughout the singalongs, bouncing enthusiastically among fellow revellers, including his McLaren team.
The emotional weight of his achievement hit Norris immediately after crossing the finish line, as he broke down in tears over the team radio.
He told his McLaren crew: "You made my dreams come true, thank you so much. I love you guys, for everything. You deserve it. I love you mum, I love you dad. Thanks for everything. And now I'm crying!"
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Lando Norris kissed his girlfriend after the race
|REUTERS
McLaren CEO Zak Brown radioed through: "That's it mate, you are world champion. Is this the world champion hotline?"
Norris then sought out his mother Cisca, wiping his eyes before embracing her, followed by a kiss with Corceiro trackside.
During team celebrations, the champion was spotted grimacing after swigging from a Monster can. Asked whether it contained just energy drink, he grinned: "Hell no! It's way more!"
Norris reflected on the magnitude of his triumph, acknowledging the rarity of such moments in the sport.
The festivities stretched well past 5am
|REUTERS
He said: "Not many people in Formula One get to experience what I have experienced this year. I am happy for everyone more than me, I am crazy happy."
The champion paid tribute to his journey with McLaren, noting they had weathered difficult periods together.
He added: "I feel like I did my part for the team this year, I am very proud of myself but more proud for everyone I have made cry," he added.
Despite the revelry, practical matters loomed, McLaren had arranged the Abu Dhabi celebrations knowing their driver faced media commitments on Monday and a post-season test at the circuit on Tuesday.
"My mechanics, my engineers, I mean, crap, we got a test on Tuesday morning, but yeah," Norris acknowledged with characteristic humour.
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