Lando Norris has delivered the Formula One constructors' title for McLaren by winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with a commanding drive.
The Briton effectively had to go it alone on Sunday to hold off the challenge of Ferrari as his Australian teammate Oscar Piastri was forced off the track at the first corner in a collision with champion Max Verstappen, who was later penalised for his attempt at a lunging overtake.
It led to what Piastri described as a "pretty miserable race" personally for him as he ended up picking up a 10-second penalty later after another collision with Franco Colapinto's Williams before having to battle hard just to come home in 10th place.
But the Aussie was still all smiles as he enjoyed his first taste of world championship glory in just his second F1 season, as the rejuvenated British giants McLaren celebrated a 14-point win over Ferrari.
"The biggest thing today is we clinched the championship, and it's a massive credit to everyone at McLaren for what they've achieved this year, and I couldn't be prouder of them all," said Piastri.
"Obviously, today was tough, but it's nice to to seal the deal," added the Melbourne driver, who finishes the season fourth overall in the championship.
It was a landmark day too for Piastri's compatriot, Alpine's Jack Doohan, who became the 16th Australian driver to start an F1 race and performed creditably on debut to end up 15th of the 16 finishers in the 20-car race.
But Piastri was to play only a bit part on what proved a triumphant day for Norris, who coolly handled the pressure after his teammate's misfortune to win from wire-to-wire.
"You all deserve this. Thank you so much. It's been a special year," the victorious Norris told his team over the radio after taking the chequered flag.
The Briton then declared: "Next year is going to be my year too."
Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were second and third for Ferrari, McLaren's historic rivals and the only team that could have beaten them to the championship.,
Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton was fourth in his last race for Mercedes before joining Ferrari next year.
Red Bull's Verstappen, who had taken his fourth successive drivers' title in Las Vegas last month, ended up sixth after getting a 10-second penalty after being deemed responsible for the first-corner collision that forced both him and Piastri to spin off the track.
Piastri agreed with the stewards' verdict that there had not been enough room on the inside for Verstappen to make the move which left the clearly irritated Australian to say sarcastically over his team radio at the time: "Move of a world champion, that one..."
Asked later if it had been too optimistic a move from Verstappen, Piastri noted: "I mean, probably yes, the stewards deemed it was a penalty but Max came and apologised straight away afterwards. So we go again next year..."
Hamilton had an emotional final hurrah for Mercedes, overtaking teammate George Russell on the 58th and final lap. "Lewis, that was the drive of a world champion," Mercedes boss Toto Wolff told him.
Pierre Gasly was seventh for Alpine, with his and Doohan's efforts ensuring the team finished sixth in the constructors' championship and didn't lose the tens of millions of dollars that a lower position might have cost them.
Verstappen served his 10-second penalty on a pitstop on the 30th lap and had a dig at the stewards over the radio. "Could we ask for 20 seconds, stupid idiots," moaned the Dutchman, who had been handed two 10-second penalties in Mexico in October.
