Lando Norris wins first F1 world title in Abu Dhabi thriller

Lando Norris is the 2025 Formula 1 World Champion, securing his first title with a dramatic third-place finish at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Max Verstappen won the race for Red Bull, with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri second, but Norris held his nerve to finish on the podium and clinch the championship by a narrow two-point margin after a season-long battle.

Why it matters:

Norris's triumph marks a seismic shift in the F1 landscape, ending a long championship drought for McLaren and crowning a new, homegrown champion. His victory, achieved by outperforming his direct title rival in the final race, validates years of development at McLaren and sets the stage for a new era of competition at the front of the grid.

The details:

The championship-deciding race was a tense strategic affair from lights out.

• Verstappen converted pole position into an early lead, while Piastri immediately passed Norris for second place on the opening lap, putting the title contender on the back foot.
• Norris's race was defined by a bold pit strategy, pitting early for fresh tires to chase down the leaders and execute crucial overtakes in the final stint.
• The midfield was littered with penalties, including five-second sanctions for Liam Lawson (erratic driving), Yuki Tsunoda (more than one change of direction), Alex Albon (pit lane speeding), and Pierre Gasly (exceeding track limits).
• Lewis Hamilton staged a remarkable recovery drive from 16th on the grid to finish eighth, while Ferrari's Charles Leclerc climbed from fifth to fourth.

What's next:

The 2025 season concludes with Norris etching his name into F1 history, breaking the stranglehold of recent champions. All focus now turns to the 2026 season, featuring major new technical regulations. McLaren will aim to defend their crown, while rivals like Red Bull, Ferrari, and a resurgent Mercedes will be desperate to reclaim the top step.