Norris returns to McLaren as F1 World Champion, celebrates with team
Newly crowned 2025 F1 World Champion Lando Norris returned to McLaren's headquarters, celebrating the team's first drivers' title since 2008. He credited the entire team and teammate Oscar Piastri for the achievement, which was secured by a mere two-point margin over Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi.
Lando Norris returned to the McLaren Technology Centre for the first time since clinching the 2025 Formula 1 Drivers' World Championship, celebrating the historic achievement with the team that built his title-winning car. The 26-year-old, who secured the crown by just two points in Abu Dhabi, was greeted with a guard of honour and reflected on a dream realized through collective effort.
Why it matters:
Norris's championship breaks a 17-year drought for McLaren, marking the team's first drivers' title since Lewis Hamilton in 2008. His victory, achieved in one of the closest three-way title fights in recent history, validates McLaren's resurgence as a top constructor and underscores the critical role of team dynamics in modern F1 success.
The details:
- Norris needed only a podium finish at the season finale in Abu Dhabi to secure the title, which he achieved with a P3 result, finishing the season with 423 points.
- He edged out Max Verstappen and teammate Oscar Piastri by two and thirteen points, respectively, in a dramatic conclusion where all three drivers arrived with a mathematical chance to win.
- Upon arrival at the MTC, a showcar of his 2025 championship-winning McLaren was displayed alongside a chassis from Hamilton's 2008 title-winning car, symbolizing the team's return to the pinnacle.
- In his speech, Norris emphasized that the achievement "means nothing without the people who helped you achieve it," highlighting the contributions from engineers, mechanics, designers, and his personal support network.
The big picture:
Norris's title is the culmination of McLaren's multi-year project to return to championship contention. His partnership with Oscar Piastri, which also delivered back-to-back Constructors' Championships for the team in 2024 and 2025, has been a cornerstone of this success. Norris praised Piastri, stating that racing alongside him for three seasons "pushed me a lot more" and made the championship journey better, crediting his teammate as playing a "massive part" in the achievement.
What's next:
The celebration at Woking is both a culmination and a starting point. Norris's closing remark, "Here’s to many more," sets the expectation for McLaren to defend its titles in 2026. The team now faces the challenge of maintaining its competitive edge against a resurgent Red Bull and a determined Mercedes, with all eyes on how the champion and his team handle the pressure of being the ones to beat.