2025 F1 Season Recap: A Title Fight for the Ages
Lando Norris ended Max Verstappen's four-year reign in a breathtaking 2025 season, clinching his first Formula 1 title by a mere two points. The championship battle was a rollercoaster, featuring a stunning mid-season collapse from his teammate Oscar Piastri and a late surge from Verstappen.
The 2025 Formula 1 season delivered one of the most dramatic championship battles in recent memory, with Lando Norris ultimately dethroning Max Verstappen to claim his first world title. The fight went down to the wire in Abu Dhabi, where Norris secured the crown by a razor-thin two-point margin after a season that saw three different drivers from McLaren and Red Bull hold the top spot.
Why it matters:
This season marks a significant changing of the guard in Formula 1, ending Verstappen's period of dominance and crowning a new, popular champion in Norris. The unpredictable nature of the title fight, with massive swings in momentum and a stunning collapse from the points leader, reinvigorated the sport and showcased the incredible depth of talent at the front of the grid.
The details:
- Lando Norris secured his maiden F1 World Championship, ending Max Verstappen's streak of four consecutive titles in a final-round showdown.
- Oscar Piastri's dramatic fall from grace is a major storyline. He led the championship for 15 consecutive races and held a 104-point advantage over Verstappen after the Dutch GP, only to fade and finish third in the standings.
- Verstappen mounted a furious comeback after the summer break, dragging himself back into contention after appearing to be out of the fight.
- Memorable moments defined the season:
- Verstappen's stunning overtake on Piastri at Imola, which won Overtake of the Year.
- Norris's shocking retirement while leading his home race at Zandvoort.
- Verstappen's heroic comeback drive in São Paulo, echoing his 2024 performance.
- Controversial moments, including Ferrari's double disqualification in China and McLaren's exclusion in Qatar.
- Lewis Hamilton's sole highlight with Ferrari: a Sprint race win in China.
What's next:
With the 2025 season concluded, all eyes now turn to 2026 and the next major regulation overhaul. Teams will spend the winter analyzing the lessons from this intensely competitive year as they prepare for a new era of F1, wondering if Norris can defend his crown or if a resurgent Verstappen and Red Bull can reclaim their place at the top.