Lando Norris clinches F1 world championship with P3 in Abu Dhabi
Lando Norris secured his first Formula 1 World Championship by finishing third at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, beating Max Verstappen by just two points. Verstappen won the race but needed Norris to finish lower, a scenario that was nearly altered by strategic battles and on-track interference from Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda.
Lando Norris is the 2025 Formula 1 World Champion, clinching the title by a mere two points after finishing third in a tense and strategic Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Max Verstappen won the race for Red Bull, but his victory was not enough to overcome Norris's points lead, crowning the McLaren driver champion after a season-long duel.
Why it matters:
Norris's triumph ends Red Bull and Verstappen's dominant run and marks the first driver's title for McLaren since Lewis Hamilton in 2008. It validates McLaren's remarkable resurgence and completes Norris's journey from a perennial podium contender to a world champion, fundamentally shifting the sport's power dynamics.
The details:
- The championship-deciding race evolved into a high-stakes strategic battle, with Verstappen starting on hard tires and Norris on mediums.
- Norris pitted on Lap 18 for hard tires, emerging in traffic where he was aggressively defended against by Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda, who was trying to aid teammate Verstappen.
- Tsunoda received a penalty for weaving, and Norris was judged to have been forced off track during their battle.
- With a clear track later, Norris executed a second pit stop without losing position, solidifying his crucial third place.
- Oscar Piastri, who started second, finished there to secure a McLaren 2-3, playing a vital supporting role in Norris's title win.
By the numbers:
- 2 points: The final margin of Norris's championship victory over Verstappen.
- 1st: Norris's first World Championship and McLaren's first drivers' title in 17 years.
- 7th: Verstappen's win tally for the 2025 season.
- 12.594s: The gap from race winner Verstappen to second-place Piastri.
What's next:
The 2025 season concludes with Norris and McLaren atop the standings, setting the stage for a fierce title defense in 2026. All teams will now fully shift their focus to the next generation of technical regulations, with the champion team and its rivals aiming to carry their momentum or mount a fresh challenge.