Honda formally ends its technical alliance with Red Bull following Abu Dhabi GP, concluding a collaboration that delivered multiple championships. The manufacturer shifts focus to Aston Martin for 2026, while Red Bull partners with Ford to develop its first in-house power unit amid F1's regulatory overhaul.
Mercedes' Toto Wolff congratulated McLaren on their 2025 double championship, calling them 'deserving' while acknowledging his team's second-place finish felt hollow after a poor Abu Dhabi finale. The German manufacturer supplied McLaren's championship-winning power units since 2021, adding complexity to Wolff's conflicted perspective on the season's outcome.
Max Verstappen dismissed Kimi Antonelli's apology for a Qatar GP error that indirectly affected the title race, showing sportsmanship after fans targeted the rookie with online abuse. The Dutchman consoled the 19-year-old Mercedes driver post-Abu Dhabi GP despite losing his crown to Lando Norris by two points.
McLaren's coordinated tire strategy with Piastri starting on hard tires pressured Verstappen, enabling Norris to clinch the F1 title by 2 points despite finishing third. Norris called his teammate 'as much a part' of the championship success, revealing how Piastri's opening-lap move disrupted Red Bull's race control.
Sergio Perez subtly referenced his pivotal 2021 Abu Dhabi defense against Hamilton by sharing an Avengers meme during Norris' battle with Tsunoda. The stewards' decision to penalize Tsunoda—not Norris—for weaving ultimately secured Norris' championship despite a third-place finish, echoing how Perez's past defense shaped Verstappen's title.
Gianpiero Lambiase wept on Red Bull's pit wall after Max Verstappen's narrow title loss ended their four-year dominance, revealing deeper team instability following Horner's exit and amid Marko's uncertain future. The emotional collapse underscores how Verstappen's championship defeat symbolizes Red Bull's organizational unraveling beyond the track.
Charles Leclerc warns Ferrari's 2026 season is 'now or never' after a winless 2025 campaign - only their second barren year in a decade. The Monegasque driver insists next year's performance will determine their championship viability through 2029, with the opening races setting the tone for the entire regulation cycle.
The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, featuring F1's first three-way championship decider in 15 years, became a case study in sporting irrelevance as Yas Marina's design stifled drama. Verstappen's inevitable pole-to-win victory underscored the track's status as F1's least competitive venue, raising concerns about the sport's ability to deliver genuine racing despite its 2030 contract extension with Abu Dhabi.
Verstappen acknowledged Leclerc's relentless Abu Dhabi GP effort that nearly cost Norris the title, citing tire strategies that thwarted his own race manipulation attempts. The Dutchman lost his crown by 2 points, ending his No.1 era as he weighs 2026 car number options.
Oscar Piastri asserts McLaren will maintain equal treatment between drivers despite Lando Norris' 2025 championship win, stating 'he hasn't become Superman' while acknowledging his teammate's superior season performance. The Australian finished second after leading early but conceded Norris deserved the title.
Oscar Piastri demands equal treatment from McLaren after finishing third in the championship despite leading for 15 races. The Australian insists teammate Lando Norris 'hasn't become Superman' following his title win, expecting continued fairness from the team despite the bitter season finale outcome.
Lando Norris secured his maiden F1 drivers' championship by two points over Max Verstappen with a third-place finish in Abu Dhabi, ending Red Bull's dominance and giving McLaren its first title since 2008 after a season-long battle with teammate Oscar Piastri.
