British racing driver Lando Norris has reached the pinnacle of motorsport, securing his first Formula 1 World Championship title in a dramatic season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The 26-year-old from Glastonbury, Somerset, was overcome with emotion as he sealed the victory, sparking jubilant celebrations with his family and girlfriend on the Yas Marina Circuit.
An Emotional Victory Sealed With Family Embraces
Immediately after the race, while still wearing his helmet, Norris received a roaring bearhug from his mother, Cisca Wauman, who shouted 'I am so proud of you' over the crowd's din. The moment swiftly became a family affair, with Norris sharing an emotional embrace with his Belgian-born mother and his British father, Adam Norris, amidst the track's fireworks and smoke.
Tears of joy streamed down the new champion's face as he later kissed his 23-year-old girlfriend, Portuguese actress and model Magui Corceiro, on the finish line. The couple's relationship had itself been in the spotlight this season, after fellow driver Carlos Sainz jibed that TV directors were more interested in 'pitlane WAGs' than the racing action. Corceiro previously responded by stating she was not to blame if broadcasts focused on her, saying: 'I don't call the cameras. If they record me, they record me.'
From 'Lando No Wins' to Britain's 11th Champion
Norris's triumph marks a spectacular personal turnaround. After being dubbed 'Lando No Wins' in earlier seasons, he deliberately abandoned a partying lifestyle and a revolving door of relationships last year to focus entirely on his title quest. The dedication paid off, making him Britain's 11th Formula 1 world champion and delivering the first drivers' title for the Surrey-based McLaren team since Lewis Hamilton's win in 2008.
In a tearful post-race interview with Sky Sports pundit David Coulthard, Norris paid tribute to his parents: 'My mum, my dad, they are the ones who have supported me since the beginning.' His mother, wearing McLaren orange for the race, reflected on her son's journey from driving the family tractor as a child to claiming motorsport's ultimate prize.
The Norris Family's Role in a Champion's Journey
Norris's path to glory was carefully nurtured from a young age. His father, entrepreneur Adam Norris – regularly cited as one of Britain's wealthiest men with a net worth exceeding £200 million – introduced him to go-karting as a child and has managed his career since he was 12. The 54-year-old, who built financial giant Hargreaves Lansdown before founding Pure Electric, is credited with ensuring his son reached his potential.
Norris attended the prestigious Millfield boarding school in Somerset but left in Year 10 to concentrate on racing. His former housemaster, John Bishop, praised Norris's early ability to juggle schoolwork and racing, noting his capacity for self-analysis and constant improvement. 'He was always looking out for the small details. He was constantly learning from his experiences,' Bishop said.
Among the many figures to congratulate the new champion was Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who posted on X: 'Congratulations Lando Norris, Britain's new F1 champion! An unbelievable season and so well deserved.' The victory, achieved with a podium finish that secured the necessary points, concludes a long, hard season for Norris, finally transforming potential into a world championship crown.
