"Three drivers came into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with a chance to win the championship, but it was Norris who did exactly what he needed to: a podium would guarantee a championship win, and a podium he achieved. He beat four-time champion Max Verstappen by two points and his teammate Oscar Piastri by 13, and put 15 years of Red Bull and Mercedes domination in the ground to help herald in a a new era of racing."
"Despite the potential of a three-way championship battle and all the discourse about team orders, the race itself was, honestly, a bit of a dud. Like much of the year before Max Verstappen's abrupt ascension and McLaren's late-season self-sabotage, it was a primarily mathematical endeavor; the top three drivers in the championship qualified in the top three, and all Norris had to do was maintain his place."
"That is to take nothing away from Norris's drive, which characterized how he won the championship: brave in the key moments, not collapsing under pressure, and never letting a podium opportunity slip away. Whenever there was potential for shenanigans, Norris averted the danger. After George Russell and Leclerc pit, McLaren pit Norris to cover them both off. As Norris came up against a stretch of drivers who had yet to pit, risking seconds of time l"
Lando Norris entered the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix needing a podium to guarantee the championship and achieved that result, finishing ahead of Max Verstappen and teammate Oscar Piastri. The race lacked major incidents, safety cars, retirements, or dramatic strategy shifts, so the contest became largely mathematical as the top three qualifiers stayed in position. Piastri executed an early outside overtake on Norris and Charles Leclerc applied some early pressure, but Norris remained composed and defended the final podium spot when McLaren pitted to cover rivals. Norris avoided on-track shenanigans and held his nerve to secure the title.
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