What’s the breakfast of champions? It seems Lando Norris might not have the answer, despite clinching his first Formula One World Championship title. The McLaren driver celebrated his victory in Abu Dhabi, finishing third in the season-ending grand prix, which was enough to secure his maiden title.
By early morning, Norris was craving Chicken McNuggets, but had to settle for a Sausage McMuffin instead. “Was it the breakfast of champions? Certainly not. I regretted it straightaway,” he admitted. Nevertheless, the regret is a small price to pay for the magnitude of his achievement.
Norris Ends Verstappen’s Reign
Norris is the 35th different Formula 1 drivers champion and the eighth to win it with McLaren. His triumph marks the end of Max Verstappen’s 1456-day reign as world champion, which began with his first victory in Abu Dhabi in 2021. For the first time in three years, the No. 1 will switch cars, with Norris bringing it back to McLaren, last held by Lewis Hamilton in 2009.
While running the No. 1 isn’t mandatory, Norris sees it as a tribute to his team. “It’s there because you can go and try grab it and you can work hard to try and get it,” he told Sky Sports. “It’s not for me, it’s for them as well. It’s their pride, knowing that they put a lot of work and effort into everything that they can also go, ‘We’re number one’.”
A Season of Highs and Lows
Norris’s path to the championship was not without challenges. He trailed teammate Oscar Piastri by 34 points with nine rounds remaining, following a retirement at the Dutch Grand Prix. However, Norris rallied, outscoring Piastri in the following six rounds to secure his lead.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown praised Norris’s development. “He had some challenges in the middle of the year and then came back super strong,” Brown told Radio X. He also credited Piastri for pushing Norris to excel. “I think the two of them helped raise each other’s game and raise the team’s game,” he said.
“Oscar did an unbelievable job over the [off-season]. He should be very proud of it. He won seven races. Either of them could have won the championship.”
Oscar Piastri: A Rising Star
Piastri’s performance this season has set high expectations for the future. The Australian led the championship for 15 rounds, more than any other driver, and his 34-point lead in the Netherlands was the largest of the year. His rapid improvement suggests he could be a key contender for the 2026 title.
“I’m excited already for next year,” Brown said. “Oscar is going to be a world champion, and it could be next year. He has very few areas he needs to improve upon. You should watch out for Oscar Piastri next year.”
McLaren’s Strategic Challenges
McLaren’s journey to the constructors’ championship was not without its hurdles. The team faced significant pressure from Red Bull Racing and a resurgent Verstappen. A double disqualification in Las Vegas and a strategic error in Qatar further complicated their path.
Criticism also arose over McLaren’s “papaya rules,” which dictate how Piastri and Norris are allowed to race each other. Accusations of bias towards Norris were consistently denied by the team. Brown defended their approach, emphasizing fairness and balance.
“We’re just being fair and balanced. We’ve got to be the principals every once in a while.”
Piastri, too, expressed confidence in McLaren’s fairness. “I’m expecting full fairness from the team and equality going forward,” he said. “At the end of the day, they gave us both as good a chance as the team could have to fairly fight for a world championship, and that’s all you can ask for.”
As McLaren looks to the future, the team’s dynamic duo of Norris and Piastri promises to keep the competition fierce. With Norris now a champion and Piastri poised for greatness, the 2026 season could see another thrilling chapter in McLaren’s storied history.
