Dominant Norris secures constructors' title for McLaren

Lando Norris secured a dominant victory at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to win McLaren their first constructors' championship since 1998.

The 25-year-old’s fourth win of the season meant McLaren held off the charge of Ferrari as team-mate Oscar Piastri finished only 10th after an eventful race for the Australian at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Ferrari pair Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were second and third to push McLaren all the way but Norris’ win was enough to secure the title.

McLaren, whose last crown came with Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard at the wheel, finished 14 points clear of the Scuderia.

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 disastrous start for the Woking-based team as Verstappen started well from fourth and dove up the inside of Piastri, with the pair making contact and the Australian ending up at the back of the field.

"Move of a world champion, that," Piastri said over the team radio.

The four-time world champion was handed a 10-second penalty for causing the collision. Piastri's start got worse as he hit the back of Franco Colapinto, getting himself a 10-second penalty and also having to make an early pit stop.

Meanwhile, Leclerc made a stunning start having begun 19th due to a 10-place grid penalty, charging up to eighth by the end of the first lap.

Crucially for McLaren, pole-sitter Norris kept his lead – knowing a win would guarantee them the title – and opened up a healthy advantage over Sainz.

Sergio