Brown thrilled after Norris wins World Championship: 'A little too exciting!"

16:17, 07 Dec

byOlly Darcy

A buoyant Zak Brown said the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was "perhaps a little too exciting" after Lando Norris sealed his maiden World Championship.

"This is amazing! What a season!"

- Zak Brown

The Brit only needed a P3 finish at the season finale to become champion, and despite Max Verstappen going on to win the 58-lap race, Norris pipped the Dutchman to the title by just two points.

That title win gives McLaren its first drivers' title since Lewis Hamilton in 2008.

"This is amazing. What a season," the McLaren CEO said in his immediate reaction to Sky Sports.

Lando Norris became the 11th British driver to become World Champion - Photo: Race Pictures

"We did it. We did it. It wasn't easy. Lando and Oscar... what a set of drivers and what a great team this is.

"That was exciting, a little too exciting. Awesome!"

Norris' world title also backs up the constructors' championship they won earlier in the season at the Singapore Grand Prix.

'Proud' Brown calls Norris' title 'impossible'

It was by no means easy for Norris, who came under pressure from Charles Leclerc throughout the race. But a calm and composed drive, which has been seen multiple times throughout the second half of 2025, guided him towards the title.

It also comes after he and Piastri battled each other throughout the season. Team orders and papaya rules were a constant talking point in 2025, and Brown was impressed with how his team fought through it.

"I'm unbelievably proud of the team, unbelievably proud of our two drivers. We let them race until the end. Most people thought that would be impossible to pull off. It's a dream racing with these two guys."

Photo: Race Pictures

GPblog's latest F1 Paddock Update

Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the F1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.