Lando Norris clinches 2025 F1 World Championship in Abu Dhabi finale
Lando Norris secured his maiden Formula 1 Drivers' Championship by finishing third at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, holding off a charging Max Verstappen to win the title by a mere two points. McLaren also comfortably secured the Constructors' title, while Mercedes edged out Red Bull for second place in the teams' standings.
Lando Norris is the 2025 Formula 1 World Champion. The McLaren driver secured his first title with a third-place finish at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, finishing just two points clear of a victorious Max Verstappen after a dramatic season-long duel. Oscar Piastri completed the podium for McLaren, which also clinched the Constructors' Championship. In the teams' battle, Mercedes secured second place ahead of Red Bull Racing.
Why it matters:
Norris's championship victory marks a monumental shift in the F1 landscape, ending years of Red Bull and Max Verstappen's dominance. It validates McLaren's remarkable resurgence and rewards Norris for his consistency and race-winning performances throughout the season. The incredibly tight two-point margin underscores one of the most fiercely contested championships in recent memory.
The details:
The championship was decided in a tense Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. While Verstappen won the race, Norris's calculated drive to third place provided the necessary points to clinch the title.
- Driver Standings: Norris (423 pts) pipped Verstappen (421 pts) by two points, with teammate Oscar Piastri a strong third on 410 points. George Russell led Mercedes' charge in fourth (319 pts), ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc (242 pts).
- Constructors' Standings: McLaren dominated with 833 points. The battle for second was won by Mercedes (469 pts), who narrowly beat Red Bull (451 pts). Ferrari finished a distant fourth with 398 points.
- Notable Performances: Kimi Antonelli impressed in his rookie season for Mercedes, scoring 150 points. The Williams pairing of Alexander Albon and Carlos Sainz secured a solid fifth in the constructors' standings.
The big picture:
The 2025 season will be remembered as the year McLaren and Lando Norris broke through. After years of development and near-misses, the team delivered a car capable of consistent victories, allowing Norris to finally convert his potential into a world title. The season also saw a significant reshuffle in the competitive order behind the top three, with Mercedes re-establishing itself as a leading force and several driver moves, like Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari, impacting team dynamics.
What's next:
The focus now shifts immediately to 2026 and the sweeping new technical regulations. Teams will enter a crucial winter development period, with champions McLaren aiming to defend their titles against a surely motivated Red Bull and a resurgent Mercedes. The driver market, largely settled for 2025, will also begin to stir as contracts approach their end, setting the stage for the next chapter in Formula 1.