Published: 9 December 2025
Lando Norris has secured the 2025 Formula One World Championship, becoming the sport’s 35th world champion after finishing third in a tense Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that saw three drivers enter the finale with a chance at the title. The British driver clinched the crown by a razor-thin two-point margin, delivering McLaren its first championship victory since Lewis Hamilton in 2008.
A Third-Place Finish That Sealed a World Title
Norris started the race from the front row in P2, dropped briefly to third, and later completed a decisive overtake on Yuki Tsunoda before settling into a strategic battle with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Despite Max Verstappen winning the race and Oscar Piastri finishing second, Norris’ P3 finish was enough to keep him ahead in the standings.
The final championship order:
- Lando Norris – McLaren
- Max Verstappen – Red Bull
- Oscar Piastri – McLaren
Rivals Who Pushed the Title Fight to the Wire
The 2025 season marked one of the most competitive title battles in a decade, with Verstappen, Piastri, and Leclerc each playing critical roles in pressuring Norris until the very last laps.
- Max Verstappen, the four-time defending champion, finished just two points short of extending his streak.
- Oscar Piastri, Norris’ McLaren teammate, ended the season third overall after an outstanding Abu Dhabi performance.
- Charles Leclerc battled Norris directly during the finale but ultimately finished fourth.
Championship Decider: One Race, Three Contenders
Heading into Abu Dhabi, the maths were simple:
If Verstappen won, Norris needed at least P3 to seal the title.
Verstappen did exactly that—dominating the evening at Yas Marina—while Piastri crossed the line in second. Norris, though under constant pressure from Leclerc, delivered the controlled drive he needed, securing P3 and the championship by the slimmest margin since the 2012 season.
Season Turning Points: Highs, Lows and a Critical Comeback
Norris’ title run was built on consistency, resilience, and key mid-season victories:
- Wins: Mexico, Brazil
Setbacks:
- Las Vegas disqualification for technical infringement
- Qatar strategy error that cost a podium
- Season-defining comeback: Rebounded after a DNF at the Dutch GP, regaining form through strong late-season performances.
McLaren’s 2024 upgrade package—carried into 2025—proved transformative, giving Norris the reliability and pace needed to challenge Red Bull.
McLaren’s Historic Moment
The championship marks McLaren’s first drivers’ title since 2008 and their most successful season since the early Hamilton-Button era.
Norris, who joined the team in 2019, has often spoken about wanting to “bring McLaren back to the top”. The 2025 campaign delivered exactly that.
Team Principal Andrea Stella said the title was “the result of six years of patience, commitment and belief” between Norris and McLaren.
How the Abu Dhabi GP Unfolded
- Start: Norris lined up P2 beside Verstappen.
- Lap 1–10: Dropped to P3, steadied pace.
- Mid-race: Completed a clean overtake on Tsunoda.
- Final stint: Defended firmly against Leclerc’s late charge.
- Finish: Crossed the line P3—exactly what he needed.
Final race result:
- Verstappen
- Piastri
- Norris
- Leclerc
A Defining Career Milestone
By winning the 2025 championship, Lando Norris becomes F1’s 35th world champion, ending Verstappen’s reign of dominance and cementing himself among the sport’s modern elite.
The emotional impact was immediate. Norris broke down over team radio:
“Thank you, team… Thank you, Mum and Dad. We finally did it. It’s been such a long journey.”
Fans across the world praised the victory as one of the most hard-fought and deserved titles of the hybrid era.
What Comes Next for the New Champion
With the season finished, drivers will now enter the winter break before returning for 2026 pre-season testing in Barcelona, scheduled for 26–30 January.
McLaren expects to continue building around Norris as its long-term centrepiece, with early indications suggesting the team will again challenge Red Bull and Ferrari next season.
