Lando Norris Crowned 2025 Formula One World Champion in Abu Dhabi Thriller
Lando Norris claimed his maiden Formula One World Championship title with a nerve-wracking third-place finish at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The McLaren driver secured the championship by just two points over Max Verstappen, who won the race ahead of Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri.
Race Summary
Starting second between pole-sitter Verstappen and Piastri, Norris saw his path complicated immediately when Piastri overtook him on the opening lap. The newly-crowned champion withstood sustained pressure from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, navigated mid-race traffic after his first pit stop, and survived a dramatic wheel-to-wheel battle with Yuki Tsunoda.
Despite these challenges, Norris’ podium finish gave him a narrow championship victory over Verstappen, with Piastri completing McLaren’s strong season just 11 points behind his title-winning teammate.
Key Race Highlights
- Leclerc finished fourth (+7 sec), ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell
- Fernando Alonso secured sixth for Aston Martin
- Haas’ Esteban Ocon edged Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari for seventh
- Nico Hulkenberg scored points in ninth in his 250th Grand Prix
- Lance Stroll claimed the final point despite a driving penalty
Controversies & Penalties
- Yuki Tsunoda (14th) received a 5-second penalty for over-defending against Norris
- Ollie Bearman (12th) penalized for multiple defensive moves against Stroll
- Alex Albon (16th) sanctioned for pit lane speeding
- Liam Lawson (18th) penalized after collision with Bearman
2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Official Results
| Pos | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 2 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 3 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 4 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 5 | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 6 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
| 7 | Esteban Ocon | Haas |
| 8 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
| 9 | Nico Hulkenberg | Kick Sauber |
| 10 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
| 11 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Kick Sauber |
| 12 | Ollie Bearman | Haas |
| 13 | Carlos Sainz | Williams |
| 14 | Yuki Tsunoda | Racing Bulls |
| 15 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 16 | Alex Albon | Williams |
| 17 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls |
| 18 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls |
| 19 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
| 20 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine |
Norris celebrates his maiden championship at Yas Marina Circuit
The victory caps a remarkable season for McLaren, who secured both drivers’ podium finishes and saw Norris become Britain’s first world champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2020.
