McLaren Ends Red Bull Era as Norris Clinches Shock Drivers' Title

McLaren has dethroned Red Bull to claim its first Formula 1 constructors' championship since 2008, with Lando Norris clinching the drivers' crown by a mere two points over Max Verstappen. The historic turnaround marks the end of Red Bull's four-year stranglehold on the sport and validates McLaren's aggressive technical overhaul under new leadership.

Why it matters:

This seismic shift breaks Red Bull's dominance since 2021 and signals F1's return to genuine competitiveness. McLaren's rise—from midfield strugglers to double champions in three years—demonstrates how quickly fortunes can change under the sport's current regulations, offering hope to smaller teams and reshaping the 2026 technical landscape.

The Big Picture:

• McLaren's Ascent: After finishing fifth in 2022, McLaren leveraged Mercedes power units and radical aerodynamic concepts to dominate 2025, scoring 833 points—nearly double Red Bull's tally.
• Red Bull's Decline: Reliability issues and an inability to adapt to 2025's cooling regulations cost Red Bull crucial points, leaving them third in constructors despite Verstappen's 12 wins.
• Mercedes' Resurgence: A strategic partnership with McLaren on power unit development propelled Mercedes to second in constructors, their strongest showing since 2021.
• Ferrari's Struggles: Charles Leclerc's inconsistent pace and Lewis Hamilton's difficult adaptation to the SF-25 left Ferrari fourth—marking their worst season since 2014 despite high expectations.

What's Next:

The Abu Dhabi finale will formalize McLaren's coronation, but attention immediately turns to 2026's radical regulation changes.

• Red Bull's Adrian Newey departure and Honda's full factory return create uncertainty for the former champions, with Helmut Marko acknowledging "fundamental restructuring" is needed.
• McLaren aims to become the first team since Mercedes (2014-2021) to establish sustained dominance, with CEO Zak Brown targeting "five straight titles" through continued collaboration with Mercedes power units.
• Ferrari's underwhelming 2025 intensifies pressure on new technical director Enrico Cardile to deliver a competitive 2026 challenger amid growing boardroom tensions about Hamilton's long-term value.