Abu Dhabi GP: triumph and pride for Norris as McLaren clinches championship

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

McLaren triumphs in Abu Dhabi GP as Norris secures constructor's championship.

In a thrilling finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Lando Norris led McLaren to victory, clinching the team’s first constructors' championship since 1998. Norris’ standout performance was underscored by his handling of pressure from Ferrari in the nerve-wracking closing laps of the race.

The event was marked by a challenging moment right from the start, as Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri was involved in an incident with Max Verstappen at Turn 1. Despite this early setback, McLaren's fortunes were upheld by Norris, who not only claimed his fourth win of the season but also of his Formula 1 career.

Reflecting on the race, Norris shared his joy and highlighted the significance of the day for everyone involved with McLaren. “I'm very, very happy, just as I'm sure everyone in the team is,” he stated. “Today was a very special day for all of us. It was ours to lose today—and I'm sure at certain moments, people thought that it was not far away from being lost." The young driver also acknowledged Ferraris’ challenge, particularly applauding Charles Leclerc's remarkable comeback.

The rapid advancement of Leclerc from the back of the grid was a cause of concern for Norris. However, he remained focused, despite the pressures from Carlos Sainz Jr. and the recovering Leclerc. “I was watching the TV screens and I mean, I saw Charles was P8 after Lap 1. So I was a little bit nervous, but I knew I just had to focus on myself," Norris confessed.

Norris dedicated his victory to the entire McLaren team, expressing pride in being able to reward their hard work and dedication. "This is the biggest reward you can give back to everyone who designs the car, builds the car, gets the partners. Everyone has played such a big part, so just proud," said Norris, highlighting the team effort behind their success.

The victory in Abu Dhabi caps off a remarkable season for McLaren, demonstrating both team and driver's resilience under pressure. As the sun sets on the 2022 Formula 1 season, McLaren and Lando Norris can bask in the glory of their historic achievement.

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