Norris Mistakenly Crowned 2025 World Champion on F1 App Ahead of Abu Dhabi Showdown

Lando Norris was briefly listed as the 2025 Formula 1 World Champion on the official F1 app, a glaring error that sent social media into a frenzy just days before the decisive Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The McLaren driver, currently leading the championship with a 12-point advantage over Max Verstappen, heads into the season finale as the favorite for his maiden title.

Why it matters:

The F1 app's premature coronation of Norris highlights the intense anticipation and high stakes surrounding this weekend's championship decider. With three drivers still in contention, the smallest detail, even an accidental one, can fuel fan excitement and add to the drama of a thrilling season finale. For Norris, it's a symbolic, albeit erroneous, glimpse of what could be his first world title.

The details:

• App Error: The Formula 1 app's career stats section mistakenly displayed Lando Norris as the 2025 World Champion. The error was quickly rectified after fans spotted it and shared screenshots on social media.
• Championship Standings: Norris currently holds a 12-point lead over Max Verstappen, who closed the gap significantly after a strategic error by McLaren in the previous race allowed Verstappen to win.
• Key Contenders:
  • Lando Norris: Enters Abu Dhabi as the championship leader, needing a strong performance to secure his first title.
  • Max Verstappen: Benefited from McLaren's strategic misstep in the last race, reducing the points deficit to Norris. He is now the sole second-place contender after Oscar Piastri's chances narrowed.
  • Oscar Piastri: Faces a steep challenge, needing to overcome a 16-point deficit and relying on both Norris and Verstappen to falter if he hopes to snatch the title.
• Historical Context: A three-way championship fight in the final race hasn't been seen since 2010, also at Yas Marina, when Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber, and Lewis Hamilton were all in contention.

What's next:

All eyes are on Yas Marina this weekend as Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri battle for the 2025 Drivers' Championship. While Norris holds a statistical advantage, the unpredictable nature of F1 and the pressure of a title decider mean anything can happen. The strategic calls by McLaren and Red Bull, along with the drivers' performances under pressure, will ultimately determine who lifts the trophy.