British driver Lando Norris made history on Sunday by claiming his first Formula One (F1) world drivers’ title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, ending Max Verstappen’s four-year reign. The 26-year-old McLaren driver finished third in the season finale behind race winner Verstappen and teammate Oscar Piastri, securing the championship by a narrow two-point margin.
Emotional Victory at Yas Marina
The final race of the 2025 season, held at the floodlit Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, was a nail-biting affair. After crossing the finish line, Norris was greeted over the radio by his team engineer: “That’s it, mate, you are world champion, world champion!”
A visibly emotional Norris responded, “Thank you guys, you made a kid’s dream come true. I haven’t cried in a while. I didn’t think I would cry, but I did.” On the podium, he paid tribute to his family: “I want to thank my mum, my dad; they’ve supported me since the beginning. It feels amazing. I want to congratulate both Max and Oscar, I’ve enjoyed it, it’s been a long year!”
McLaren’s Triumph and Team Achievement
Norris’s championship marks a major milestone for McLaren, delivering the team its first world drivers’ crown since 2008 and the 13th in the British team’s history. Under the leadership of team principal Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown, McLaren also secured back-to-back constructors’ titles in Singapore last month.
“What an effort, Lando and Oscar, what a fantastic season!” Brown remarked. “It’s been exciting, a little too exciting, awesome.”
Historic Context for McLaren and British Drivers
Lando Norris becomes Britain’s first F1 world champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2020, joining an elite line of McLaren greats. McLaren’s championship legacy dates back to Emerson Fittipaldi in 1974, followed by legends including James Hunt (1976), Niki Lauda (1984), Alain Prost (1985, 1986, 1989), Ayrton Senna (1988, 1990, 1991), Mika Häkkinen (1998, 1999), and Lewis Hamilton (2008).
Reflecting on his journey, Norris said, “As we’ve seen many times, anything can happen. I just kept pushing. [Verstappen and Piastri] certainly did not make my life easy this year. I am proud to bring something back to McLaren after nine years with the team.”
Championship Battle: Norris vs Verstappen vs Piastri
The 2025 season finale was a dramatic showdown. Verstappen dominated the Abu Dhabi GP but finished two points behind Norris in the final standings, with totals of 423 points for Norris versus 421 for Verstappen. Teammate Oscar Piastri, who had led the championship for much of the season before Norris overtook him in Mexico, finished third in the standings.
This marked the first F1 title decided by a contest among three drivers at the final race since the four-way battle at Abu Dhabi in 2010, adding to the drama and excitement of the season finale.
Norris Reflects on His Journey
For Norris, winning the championship is the culmination of nearly a decade with McLaren. “For me to bring something back to them, I feel like I did my part for the team this year, so I’m proud of myself,” he said.
His victory represents not just personal achievement but a testament to McLaren’s resurgence in Formula 1, highlighting the combination of driver talent, team strategy, and engineering excellence.
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