British media sing Norris' praises in Abu Dhabi: 'Stood up when mattered'

BBC Sport

It was by no means an easy couple of hours for everyone associated with McLaren. A lap 1 incident between Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen saw the Australian tumble to the back of the grid, derailing what was meant to be a much easier title victory. However, maybe for the first time this season, Norris held onto the lead at the start, and he did not look back after that: "Norris and his team were perfect. And as the tensions of the longest season in history were released on Sunday night at Yas Marina in wall-to-wall smiles and a waterfall of champagne," said BBC Sport.

The British broadcaster also dived into the brilliant turnaround of McLaren as they returned to the top of the standings for the first time in 26 years: "The responsibility for McLaren's turnaround rests largely with two people - Andrea Stella and Zak Brown. It was Brown who started the process of recovery when he joined as executive director in 2016. Brown secured the extra investment the team needed at the end of 2020 to get them out of a situation in which, as he put it in Abu Dhabi, they were "definitely on the brink". And it was Brown, who was made CEO in April 2018, who saw the potential in Stella. Up and down the pit lane, not everyone shared his confidence. But Stella's leadership has been a revelation."

The Guardian

The Guardian was also full of praise for Norris after his calm and calculated win in the Middle East. It may not have been the perfect season for the Brit, but the British newspaper believes that the drive put together by the 24-year-old signifies the potential he has in the sport: "The papaya-clad personnel bounced and sang, quaffing champagne with abandon in the garage, gripped by a collective ecstasy they have not had a chance to enjoy since Hamilton won the drivers’ championship for them in 2008, the last title ­silverware they collected.

"In Abu Dhabi, it fell to Norris to stand up when it mattered after what was a tense finale where he had to do the job to beat rivals Ferrari on his own from pole after Piastri was all but removed from the fight on the first lap, hit by Max Verstappen. Norris held his nerve against a determined effort from the ­Scuderia who did all they could, with Carlos Sainz finishing second and Charles Leclerc third."

The Daily Mail

Of course, there was also time to look back at the end of one of the greatest partnerships the world of F1 has ever seen, as Lewis Hamilton will depart Mercedes after joining them in 2013. Six drivers' championships and eight constructors' championships later, he will make the move to Ferrari for the 2025 season, but not after The Daily Mail reflected on one last stunning drive: "As for Hamilton's goodbye from Mercedes, it was a day of partial success and no dishonour — and a final flourish. He started 16th after a bollard got caught under his car in qualifying. Uniquely starting on hard tyres, he hung on in there after a decent start.

"With 15 laps remaining, he was 14 seconds behind team-mate George Russell, a place ahead of him in fourth. Hamilton made rapid progress to get within 1.5 seconds of Russell with three laps left. 'Stating the obvious, but keep it super clean with Lewis,' instructed Wolff, not wishing a disastrous end for their greatest champion on his way out to Ferrari. On the last lap, Hamilton passed Russell, who may not have put up the strongest defence of his career. Russell clapped the old boy after they crossed the line. Fourth place and out for Hamilton after 12 mostly golden seasons in silver."