The Formula 1 World Championship was decided between three drivers when the season ended in Abu Dhabi.
Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri. Norris arrived at the final weekend with a grip on the title – twelve points ahead of Verstappen and a further six ahead of Piastri.
Despite both Verstappen and Piastri crossing the line ahead of the McLaren star in the final race of the season, neither managed to erase his lead. A controlled third place was just the piece of the puzzle Norris needed to secure his first ever world championship title.
“I know, I'm crying”
The new world champion was visibly moved after the victory.
I'm so proud! Oh my God. We've made history. I love you mom and dad. Thank you for everything. I know, I'm crying, says Norris from the car in Viaplay's broadcast.
Still, there were a couple of moments where the pulse really rose. In the middle of the race, Norris ended up side by side with Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda in a duel that was quickly investigated by the referees. The question: Had the Briton gone over the edge of the track? After several minutes of video review, the verdict came – it was Tsunoda who had pushed Norris out and risked extra time, not the other way around.
With that worry over, Norris could guard his position at the finish and write himself into the history books.
Broke the suite
After the decision, Norris praised his opponents.
"Oscar and Max didn't make it easy for me, but it feels incredible. Not many people get to experience what I've experienced this year. I'm absolutely crazy happy," says Norris.
This ends Verstappen's four-year winning streak, and McLaren gets its first world champion since Lewis Hamilton's triumph in 2008.
McLaren has now won both World Championship titles this year, for constructors and drivers.
Born: November 13, 1999 in Bristol, United Kingdom.
Occupation: Formula 1 driver.
Team: McLaren.
Number of Formula 1 races: 153.
Number of Formula 1 victories: 11.
Number of pallets in formula 1: 43.
Merits: World Champion 2025.
Current: After finishing second in the overall standings last season behind the superb Max Verstappen, Norris has now won the championship.
2025: Lando Norris
2021–2024: Max Verstappen
2017–2020: Lewis Hamilton
2016: Nico Rosberg
2014–2015: Lewis Hamilton
2010–2013: Sebastian Vettel
2009: Jenson Button
2008: Lewis Hamilton
2007: Kimi Raikkonen
2005–2006: Fernando Alonso
2000–2005: Michael Schumacher
