Lando Norris Crowned 2025 F1 World Champion After Dramatic Abu Dhabi Finale

Lando Norris sealed the 2025 FIA Formula One World Drivers’ Championship with a crucial third-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, beating race winner Max Verstappen to the title by just two points. McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri finished second on the day and secured P3 in the championship, capping a strong season for the Woking team.

The result marks Norris as the 35th World Champion in F1 history, achieving his first career title after a year-long battle with Verstappen and Piastri.

“It feels amazing,” says new World Champion Norris

An emotional Norris celebrated the biggest moment of his career, saying:
“It feels amazing. I want to congratulate Max and Oscar, my two biggest competitors the whole season… It’s been a long year. But we did it. And I’m so proud of everyone.”

Race Start: Verstappen Leads, Piastri Overtakes Norris

At lights out, polesitter Max Verstappen launched well and immediately defended from Norris. But later in the opening lap, Oscar Piastri swept past Norris to take second, dropping the championship leader to P3 — still enough for the title, but far from comfortable.

Behind them, Charles Leclerc surged to fourth and began applying heavy pressure on Norris during the opening stint. Despite running in turbulent air, Norris managed his tyres well, and as Leclerc’s rubber faded, the McLaren gained breathing space.

Pit Stops, Traffic and Key Battles

Both Norris and Leclerc stopped together for Hard tyres but emerged in dense midfield traffic, risking potential time loss to rivals on clear air laps.

Norris responded brilliantly:

Passed Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli
Cleared Williams’ Alex Albon
Overtook Lance Stroll and Albon in a single bold move at Turn 6

The Briton returned to P4 behind Yuki Tsunoda, who was instructed by Red Bull to hold up the McLaren. But when Tsunoda swerved under braking, forcing Norris off-track, the stewards intervened and handed the Japanese driver a five-second penalty.

Once free, Norris resumed third place — the position he needed.

Final Stints: Verstappen Wins, Norris Controls the Championship

Ferrari attempted an undercut with Leclerc by pitting him again, but McLaren covered the move. Norris briefly battled the Ferrari but ultimately pulled away and began closing on Piastri in the final laps.

At the front, Verstappen cruised to a 12-second victory, his eighth win of the season, 71st career win, and third consecutive Abu Dhabi victory — completing a remarkable late-season comeback effort that fell just short.

With Norris instructed to bring the car home safely, he eased off, accepting P3 — enough to clinch the title with 423 points, ahead of Verstappen on 421.