Lando Norris finished third at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to become F1 world champion for the first time and celebrated in style with girlfriend Magui Corceiro and McLaren colleagues
Lando Norris partied hard with his family, McLaren colleagues and his model girlfriend as he celebrated his new-found status as Formula 1 World champion. The Brit, 26, was filmed swigging champagne and belting out classic songs in front of delighted onlookers after beating Max Verstappen to glory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Norris finished the race third and, while Verstappen won the race, it was not enough to overcome the advantage the McLaren driver had and the title went the Brit’s way by two points. Norris sobbed with joy while still in his car and the tears continued to fall as he hugged his mum and dad before doting girlfriend Magui Corceiro planted a kiss on the World champion.
He celebrated on the podium in front of fans before heading to the pit lane where he was hailed as a hero by McLaren colleagues. And the festivities continued long after the racer had completed his media duties as the party moved on to the W Hotel, which is located at the track on Yas Island in the Emirati city.
Norris, from Bristol, was filmed arriving at the Amber Lounge, holding the hand of Corceiro with whom he has been in an on-and-off relationship for almost three years. Following rumours that they were back together earlier this year after a lengthy split, it was confirmed in August that they had rekindled their romance.
Wearing a white buttoned-up shirt, Norris was later seen singing at the top of his lungs to Queen’s ‘We Are The Champions’, and also Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’. Several others F1 drivers were among those who joined in with the celebrations, including Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and his fiancée Alexandra Saint Mleux.
Before he had even made his way over to the nightclub, it was suspected that Norris was already on the booze after he was seen grimacing following a swig from a can bearing the logo of energy drinks company and team sponsor Monster. Soon after, he confirmed that it was “way more” than just Monster inside the can, though he did not specify what his secret tipple was.
While F1 drivers certainly have the cash and resources to be able to jet to anywhere for a party, McLaren were keen to keep the celebrations local as they are taking part in the post-season test at the Yas Marina Circuit on Tuesday. In any case, Norris wanted to celebrate with his McLaren colleagues who he hailed as the real heroes of the season.
The Brit gushed: “My friends, I really hope they’ve all had many drinks already because I want to go and party with them, because this is more about them than it is about me. My mechanics, my engineers, I mean, crap, we’ve got a test on Tuesday morning.”
Norris is Britain’s first F1 champion since Lewis Hamilton took his record-equalling seventh title in 2020. He joins Hamilton and 2009 title-winner Jenson Button as the only Brits to be named World champion since the turn of the century.
His success in seeing off Verstappen and team-mate Oscar Piastri this year has led to the odds on Norris being named BBC Sports Personality of the Year being slashed. He is 5/2 with some bookmakers to join Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and Hamilton on the list of F1 drivers to have won the award, though Rory McIlroy remains the favourite having won the Masters in April before leading Team Europe to Ryder Cup glory on US soil.
Norris is the bookmakers’ second-favourite ahead of two Lionesses heroes, Chloe Kelly (3/1) and Hannah Hampton (12/1), who helped England win this summer’s European Championship. Meanwhile, darts champion Luke Littler is 16/1 to pick up the gong.
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