ABU DHABI, Dec 7 (Reuters) - McLaren's Lando Norris sobbed tears of joy and relief as he won the Formula One championship for the first time and ended Max Verstappen's four-year reign with a nervy third place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.

Red Bull's Verstappen, whose eighth triumph of the campaign was one more than the new champion managed, won the season-ender with McLaren's Oscar Piastri runner-up and 12.5 seconds behind at the chequered flag.