Cisca Wauman was visibly overwhelmed with emotion as she spoke about her son Lando Norris' incredible achievement in winning the Formula One Drivers' Championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Despite finishing third in the race, Norris’s strong performance was enough to edge out race winner Max Verstappen by just two points, securing his first world title.
During a heartfelt interview with Sky Sports, Wauman watched footage of seven-time world champion and childhood hero Lewis Hamilton personally congratulating her son on his triumph. Hamilton expressed that he was “really, really happy” for Norris, a moment that clearly touched the family deeply.
Norris, who hails from Glastonbury and clinched his first victory at the Miami Grand Prix in May 2024, has now become the 35th different driver in F1 history to claim the world championship. He is only the third British driver this century to win the title, following in the footsteps of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, and the eighth British champion overall.
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“That’s special,” Wauman said as she took in Hamilton’s congratulatory message. Overcome with tears, she shared, “I’m emotionally drained – so happy for McLaren and all the fans. There have been many sacrifices. By age eight, Lando and his brother Ollie were already competing in karting. I feel like he missed out on a lot of childhood.”
Reflecting on the tense final laps, Wauman admitted, “The last few laps felt like forever! They kept telling us ‘the race isn’t over’ even with 10 laps remaining… but we did it. Usually, I just walk back to the hotel and read my book after a race, but tonight – I don’t really know what’s happening!"
On the podium in Abu Dhabi, Norris spoke candidly with fellow Brit Jenson Button about the rollercoaster journey to his dream finish: “It’s incredible and surreal. I’ve dreamed of this for so long. Everyone has ups and downs in a season, but none of it matters when you come out on top. We did it.”
He paid tribute to McLaren and his support system, saying, “It’s not just this year or recent years, but the last 16 or 17 years of chasing this dream. Today we all did it, and I’m incredibly happy.”
The young champion also reflected on his resilience this season: “My best performances came when I needed them the most, especially when I was on the back foot. I managed to create the gap I needed and performed when it counted.”
Proudly acknowledging his loved ones, Norris added, “I have my family, my girlfriend, and so many supporters here. I wouldn’t want to embarrass them on a day like today. My mum and dad shared this dream with me, and today, I got to share my success with them.”
In a candid Sky Sports interview, Norris admitted, “I’m glad I cried. Not many things make me cry, but today was one of those times. On the last lap, I thought of my mum under the tunnel, and that emotion made me cry — just thinking of how happy she would be.”
Norris’s father, Adam, also expressed his pride: “I watched it quietly on my own until the very last lap. Beautiful. A really good feeling. Champion of the world. He’s fast, isn’t he?”