McLaren Sweeps Abu Dhabi GP Podium as Verstappen Claims Victory

Max Verstappen led a stunning McLaren 1-2-3 finish at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, triumphing over teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in a race that rewrote Formula 1's competitive hierarchy. The result marks McLaren's first podium sweep since 2010 and ends Red Bull Racing's five-year stranglehold on the constructors' championship, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc the highest non-McLaren finisher in fourth.

Why it matters:

McLaren's dominance signals a seismic shift in F1's power structure after years of Red Bull supremacy. Verstappen's move to McLaren – previously unthinkable given his Red Bull legacy – combined with Lewis Hamilton's surprise transfer to Ferrari, represents the most dramatic driver market reshuffle in modern F1 history. These changes, coupled with McLaren's technical innovations, suggest the 2026 regulation overhaul may be accelerating competitive parity earlier than anticipated.

The Details:

• Historic Podium: Verstappen won by 12.6 seconds over Piastri, with Norris completing the sweep – McLaren's first 1-2-3 since the 2010 Canadian GP.
• Grid Realignment: Key driver transfers defined the race:
  • Verstappen (No.1) joins McLaren after eight Red Bull seasons
  • Hamilton (No.44) debuts for Ferrari following Mercedes exit
  • Carlos Sainz (No.55) leads Williams in his new role
• Points Impact: McLaren extends its constructors' lead to 47 points over Ferrari, while Mercedes drops to third after George Russell's fifth-place finish.
• Driver Standings: Verstappen's win extends his championship lead to 35 points over Norris, securing his fourth consecutive title.
• Race Characteristics: All top 10 finishers completed 58 laps, indicating a largely processional race with minimal on-track action.

What's next:

The result intensifies scrutiny on Red Bull's 2026 preparations as rival teams dissect McLaren's aerodynamic breakthroughs. With Verstappen now contracted through 2027 at McLaren, the focus shifts to:

• Ferrari's response to McLaren's pace advantage
• Mercedes' engine development for 2026 regulations
• Potential mid-season driver market surprises before the 2026 opener