Norris Seals 2025 F1 Championship as Verstappen Wins Abu Dhabi Finale

Max Verstappen dominated the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with his eighth win of 2025, but Lando Norris’ strategic third-place finish secured the British driver’s first world championship by a razor-thin two-point margin. Overcome with emotion, Norris told his team: “I could cry—it’s been a long journey. Max made my life anything but easy.”

Why it matters:

Norris’ title ends Red Bull’s three-year stranglehold on the drivers’ championship and marks McLaren’s full resurgence as a front-running force. It’s the first time since 2008 that McLaren has claimed the drivers’ crown, breaking Mercedes and Red Bull’s decade-long dominance. For Britain, it’s the first world champion since Hamilton’s 2020 title—a symbolic shift in F1’s competitive landscape as new rivalries emerge.

The Details:

• Race Dynamics: Oscar Piastri briefly challenged Verstappen after overtaking Norris at the start, but McLaren’s two-stop strategy couldn’t match Red Bull’s race-long pace. Piastri settled for second, securing third in the championship with 410 points.
• Critical Incident: Yuki Tsunoda triggered controversy by forcing Norris off-track during an overtake attempt on Lap 22, earning a 5-second penalty that ultimately cost Red Bull any chance of disrupting Norris’ title hopes.
• Final Standings: Norris (423 points) edged Verstappen (421) by the closest margin since 2008, with Piastri completing a McLaren 1-2-3 in the championship top three. Charles Leclerc finished fourth in the race but remained fourth in the standings (242 points).
• Team Triumph: McLaren clinched the constructors’ championship with 833 points, 82 clear of Mercedes (469), while Red Bull (451) suffered their first team title loss since 2021.

The Big Picture:

McLaren’s dual triumph—drivers’ and constructors’ titles—signals a paradigm shift in F1’s hierarchy. After years of midfield struggles, their 2025 campaign erased doubts about technical capabilities, particularly in aerodynamics and race strategy. Meanwhile, Red Bull’s failure to secure a third consecutive title despite Verstappen’s eight wins raises questions about their long-term strategy as engine regulations evolve for 2026.

What's next:

Norris’ victory sets up a compelling rivalry with Verstappen in 2026, especially as McLaren aims to defend both titles. With Mercedes lagging in third and Ferrari (398 points) still searching for consistency, the sport’s competitive balance now hinges on McLaren’s ability to sustain its momentum. As Norris noted: “This is just the beginning—we’re built for more.” The 2026 season will test whether McLaren’s success was a flash in the pan or the start of a new era.