A hero’s welcome! Lando Norris fights again the tears after being given a rapturous reception upon returning to McLaren HQ after F1 world title win
The plaudits keep on coming for Lando Norris as he basks in winning his first-ever F1 world title.
Norris wrote his name in F1 folklore on Sunday when a third-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix clinched the championship ahead of Red Bull rival Max Verstappen and McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri.
In finishing atop of the standings, Norris is the first British champion of the sport – and the 11th different from those shores – since his idol Lewis Hamilton won the last of his seven titles in 2020.
The 26-year-old has been celebrating his success since then with the McLaren team, his family and model girlfriend Magui Corceiro.
And on Wednesday, the acclaim continued upon his return to McLaren’s headquarters in Woking, Surrey.
As soon as he walked through the doors at the McLaren Technology Centre, the Bristol-born driver was given a rousing reception from the staff inside – who lined up in a lengthy guard of honour.
Lando Norris wiped away tears after being a hero’s welcome upon his return to McLaren HQ
Norris was given a guard of honour and saw his new F1 world champion status put on a wall
As he walked through the lengthy guard of honour, orange confetti cannons were fired to do the backdrop of DJ Khaled’s song All I Do Is Win.
After the fanfare of the adulation subsided, an emotional Norris said he ‘I’m shaking’ before wiping away a tear from his face.
It was then concluded with Norris seeing his name and the words ‘world champion’ etched on one of McLaren’s walls.
Wiping away tears of happiness has been a prevalent theme for Norris in recent days after winning the world title.
After achieving the feat on Sunday, the tears were in full flow as he celebrated with his loved ones and McLaren colleagues.
‘It’s been a long journey with me and McLaren,’ he reflected on Sunday.
‘I’ve been with them for like nine years, and we’ve been through plenty of crazy, difficult times and plenty of good times, so for me to feel like I can bring something back to them…
Norris edged out Max Verstappen by just two points after coming third at the Abu Dhabi GP
Norris had earlier celebrated at the Yas Marina circuit alongside friends and family (pictured above – the Brit sharing a kiss with his girlfriend Magui Corceiro)
Norris, 26, who was born in Bristol, is the 11th British driver to become a world champion
‘It’s their first Drivers’ [title] in many, many years, so I feel like I did my part for the team this year and I’m very proud of myself for that, but I’m even more proud of everyone that I’ve hopefully made cry!’
Norris has spent his entire Formula 1 career with McLaren Racing, joining their Driver Development Programme in 2017 at the age of just 17, before becoming Reserve Driver in 2018.
A race seat followed in 2019, as he stepped up to become the youngest McLaren Formula 1 Driver in history, before ending their long-wait for another F1 world champion on Sunday.
