Lando Norris admitted that the thought the World Championship was “not looking as likely” after team mate Oscar Piastri was nudged into a spin by Max Verstappen on the first lap in Abu Dhabi.
The incident left Norris on his own out front with no margin for error while Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were set to bag big points.
In the end victory for Norris was enough to secure the championship despite the Ferrari drivers securing the other podium places.
“Today was a very special day for all of us,” said Norris. “It was ours to lose today and I’m sure at certain moments people thought that it was not far away from being lost. Two Ferraris up there, and Charles doing a great job to get back to the podium.
“Oscar was super unlucky. He got taken out in Turn 1. So for a minute, my heart was like, ‘Oh God, it’s not looking as likely’. But if I just kept my head down and kept focused, I knew I could deliver and do what I’d got to do.”
Norris made it clear he was proud of his contribution to the title success.
“The bigger picture of us winning a championship for the first time in 26 years,” he said. “You wouldn’t have thought that when you say the name McLaren. It feels wrong to say that they’ve not won a championship in 26 years.
“But for me to be part of that, for Oscar to be part of it, is something we’re incredibly proud of. And delivering that for the team has put the biggest smile as possible on everyone’s face.
“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. Pride is my biggest thing. Of course, I’m happy I finished the season this way, but I’m way more happy for the team than I am for myself.”
