Verstappen Accepts Antonelli Apology as Norris Claims #1 for 2026 Amid Red Bull Shifts

Lando Norris clinched the 2025 F1 drivers' championship by two points over Max Verstappen despite the Dutchman's Yas Marina victory, triggering Norris' adoption of the coveted #1 and casting uncertainty over Red Bull's leadership structure. Verstappen acknowledged Kimi Antonelli's public apology for an Abu Dhabi incident while Red Bull faces potential organizational upheaval.

Why it matters:

The championship outcome marks McLaren's first drivers' title since 1999 and ends Verstappen's four-year reign, reshaping team dynamics across the grid. Norris' number change symbolizes McLaren's resurgence, while reported exits at Red Bull could alter the sport's most dominant outfit in years.

The details:

• Championship resolution: Verstappen won the season finale but finished second in the standings after Norris secured third place - enough to clinch the title by the narrowest margin since 2008.
• Number significance: Norris will temporarily retire his #4 to adopt #1 for 2026, following F1 tradition where only the reigning champion may use the number. Verstappen will revert to his career-long #1 after using #33 during his championship years.
• Leadership shift: Multiple sources indicate Helmut Marko will step down as Red Bull motorsport advisor after 20 years, with his Abu Dhabi comments about "final decisions" fueling speculation. The Austrian's departure would remove a key architect of Verstappen's championship era.
• Driver pipeline: Isack Hadjar will test Red Bull's 2025 car in post-season sessions this weekend, accelerating his integration after being promoted to race seat for 2026. The Frenchman's rookie season impressed despite limited points.

What's next:

Red Bull's response to these transitions will define their 2026 competitiveness as they integrate Hadjar and potentially new leadership. Meanwhile, Cadillac's entry gains momentum with Valtteri Bottas sharing cockpit footage of their 2026 challenger, though Oliver Bearman's penalty accumulation threatens his racing availability after collecting two more points in Abu Dhabi.

• The Milton Keynes team must balance honoring Verstappen's legacy while rebuilding - a challenge magnified by Marko's potential exit and the pressure to dethrone McLaren.
• Norris' championship celebration will extend into 2026 preparations, where his #1 car could become a psychological advantage against Verstappen's rebranded #33.
• With Bearman now at 10 penalty points (just two from suspension), his participation in pre-season testing hangs in the balance, potentially opening opportunities for reserve drivers.