Norris Clinches 2025 F1 Title by Two Points in Abu Dhabi Thriller

Lando Norris captured the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship with 423 points—just two ahead of Max Verstappen—after finishing third in Abu Dhabi while Verstappen won the race. The result delivered McLaren its first drivers' crown since Lewis Hamilton's 2008 triumph, capping a season defined by unprecedented parity at the front.

Why it matters:

This championship decider represents F1's narrowest title margin since 2008, highlighting how McLaren's strategic consistency overcame Red Bull's race-winning dominance. Norris' victory ends a generation-long drought for the British team while signaling a potential power shift in the sport's competitive hierarchy. The outcome also underscores how championship battles can hinge on single-race outcomes despite season-long performance gaps—Verstappen won 12 races to Norris' 7.

The details:

• Historic Tightrope: Norris entered Abu Dhabi with a 12-point lead but needed only a podium to clinch the title, which he secured by finishing behind Verstappen and teammate Oscar Piastri (410 points)
• Constructor Context: McLaren had already wrapped the constructors' title in Singapore, with Mercedes securing second place (+18 points over Red Bull) despite Lewis Hamilton's underwhelming Ferrari debut (156 points vs teammate Charles Leclerc's 242)
• Rookie Impact: Kimi Antonelli (150 points) edged Carlos Sainz (64) to claim top newcomer honors, while Williams' Alex Albon (73) narrowly held fifth place over Sainz despite late-season surges
• Team Shakeup: Ferrari slipped to fourth in constructors' standings despite Leclerc's strong performance, while Racing Bulls (92 points) edged Aston Martin (89) for sixth in a fiercely contested midfield battle

What's next:

McLaren's dual championship success positions them as favorites for 2026, though Verstappen's motivation for redemption will drive Red Bull's development push. The season's tight margins suggest rule changes may be needed to prevent championship outcomes from depending on single-race results. Meanwhile, Ferrari faces urgent questions about maximizing Hamilton's experience after his lowest points tally since 2012, while Antonelli's rookie performance accelerates his trajectory toward a potential future seat at a top team. All eyes now turn to how Red Bull will respond to losing both titles for the first time since 2012.