McLaren have been crowned F1 constructors champions for the first time since 1998 after clinching the title in the season-finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The British-based team, whose last crown came with Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard at the wheel, beat Italian outfit Ferrari by 14 points in the standings.
Lando Norris delivered the goods for his team by winning at the Yas Marina Circuit after starting on pole position.
It was all that chief executive officer Zak Brown’s racing team needed and Norris achieved the feat – finishing ahead of Ferrari duo Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc who finished second and third.
Norris’ lights-to-flag win also secured second in the drivers’ championship, the highest finish of his career, having led the fight to world champion Max Verstappen for much of the season.
McLaren came into the season finale with a 21-point lead and strengthened their grip on the title by securing a one-two in qualifying.
But it was a nightmare start for the Woking-based team as Red Bull’s world champion Max Verstappen started well from fourth and dove up the inside of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, with the pair making contact and the Australian ending up at the back of the field.
Lando Norris hails ‘amazing win’ for McLaren
‘I saw in my mirrors what happened in turn one. It definitely made me a bit more nervous than I would have liked,’ said Norris.
‘The pressure was certainly on from that point but I knew what I was capable of.
‘I’m sure there were a lot of nervous people on the pit wall and back in the factory.
‘We have done enough and that is because we have done enough for the rest of the season compared to our competitors. So an amazing win for us.’
Piastri recovered to 10th but Norris’ win ensured a fantastic display by Ferrari was in vain, with Leclerc storming from 19th on the grid to finish third.
Zak Brown backs McLaren to win both F1 titles next season
McLaren chief executive Zak Brown hailed Norris’ performance and says the team want to win both titles next season.
‘That was the worst two hours of my life, by far,’ Brown told Sky Sports.
‘Lando drove brilliantly. Unfortunate what happened to Oscar at the start but the team was flawless.
‘They executed the pit stop great. And I think I was the only one who was ready to have a heart attack for about two hours.
‘Lando carried us. To not make any mistakes, he drove flawlessly as he has done. Next season let’s try and repeat and also get the drivers’ – I’ll let Lando and Oscar figure that one out!
‘With the momentum Lando is on, I wouldn’t bet against him.’
