In a season that will be remembered for its intensity, emotion, and a nail-biting finale at the Yas Marina Circuit, Lando Norris has etched his name into the annals of Formula 1 history. On December 8, 2025, the 26-year-old British driver became the 35th champion of the sport, clinching the coveted title after a dramatic Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that saw him finish third—just enough to secure the championship against fierce rivals Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri.
The atmosphere in Abu Dhabi was electric, with the world’s eyes fixed on the three-way title fight. Heading into the final race, Norris led the drivers’ standings with 408 points, while Verstappen trailed at 396 and Piastri closely followed at 392. The permutations were clear: Norris needed a top-four finish if Verstappen won, while Verstappen’s only hope was to claim victory and see Norris finish fourth or lower. Oscar Piastri’s slim chance required him to win the race and for both rivals to falter.
As the lights went out, pole-sitter Verstappen seized the early advantage, but McLaren’s strategic acumen quickly became apparent. Norris, starting second, played it safe, allowing Piastri to take second place and serve as a buffer against Red Bull’s tactical maneuvers. The decision not only showcased McLaren’s team-first mentality but also highlighted the trust and camaraderie between its drivers. McLaren CEO Zak Brown had made it clear before the race: there would be no team orders to compromise the championship. "We wouldn’t compromise our chances of winning the Drivers’ Championship," Brown emphasized, putting faith in both Norris and Piastri to race on merit.
The race itself was a masterclass in composure from Norris, but not without its hair-raising moments. At one point, Norris had to overtake five cars after an early pit stop, including a tense battle with Yuki Tsunoda that saw the latter penalized for weaving. Norris later reflected, "It got pretty close. It’s crazy thinking about it, because you do think about it straightaway like, ‘Damn, if that was like five centimeters closer, it’s over.’" Such candor underscored the razor-thin margins that define championship glory in Formula 1.
When the checkered flag fell, Verstappen crossed the line first, Piastri second, and Norris third. But it was Norris who celebrated the loudest, his third-place finish enough to deliver him his maiden world championship. The emotion was palpable. "I didn’t think I would cry but I did. It is a long journey. I want to say a big thanks to my guys, everyone at McLaren, my parents. I now know what Max feels like a little bit! I want to congratulate Max and Oscar as well, it has been a pleasure to race against both of them, and to learn from both of them. But we did it, we did it!" Norris exclaimed, his words a testament to the collective effort behind his triumph.
Celebrations erupted not only in the paddock but also across the McLaren garage and among British motorsport fans worldwide. Norris became the 11th British driver to win the Formula 1 title, bringing the United Kingdom’s total to a record 21 championships—far ahead of Germany’s 12 and Brazil’s 8. The victory also marked McLaren’s 13th Constructors' Championship, narrowing the gap to Ferrari’s record 15 titles. Ferrari, once the undisputed powerhouse, last tasted constructors’ glory in 2007, and McLaren’s resurgence signals a renewed battle at the top.
Norris’s path to the championship was anything but straightforward. After claiming his first F1 race win in Miami the previous year, he built his campaign on consistency and resilience. Early-season setbacks, including losses to teammate Piastri, forced Norris to dig deep and rely on the support of his inner circle. "It took me back to where it all started," Norris said after the race, his thoughts turning to his family. "Because I wouldn’t be here without my parents, the sacrifice they’ve made. My brother, my sisters—the number of times they text me and I don’t get back to them… just everything that leads into achieving what we achieved. This is not my world championship. This is ours."
Those closest to Norris were by his side in Abu Dhabi, ready to celebrate long into the night. His journey from promising junior to world champion has been marked by humility and self-awareness. "I don’t feel proud because I’m going to wake up and go, ‘I beat everyone,’" he admitted. "I’m not proud because I get to just say I’m a world champion. I’m proud because I feel like I made a lot of other people happy." That vulnerability and openness have endeared Norris to fans and peers alike, setting him apart in a sport often defined by ruthless ambition.
The championship also saw Norris become the seventh youngest F1 champion in history, at 26 years and 24 days old. He joins an elite group that includes Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, and Max Verstappen—all of whom claimed their first titles before turning 27. Yet, unlike some of his predecessors, Norris refused to compromise his values or racing style. "I’ve managed to win it the way I wanted to win it, which was not by being someone I’m not," he said. "I’m happy I just won it my way. I’m happy I could go out and be myself and win it ‘Lando’s way,’ as Andrea (Stella, McLaren team principal) would tell me."
As the 2025 season drew to a close, the paddock buzzed with anticipation for what lies ahead. The 2026 F1 campaign is set to begin on March 8, featuring 24 races and the introduction of new teams Audi (Germany) and Cadillac (USA). With Norris now the man to beat, the spotlight will shine even brighter on McLaren and its new world champion.
For now, though, the celebrations continue. Norris, ever the showman, ignored his engineer’s advice and treated fans to a display of donuts and burnouts on the main straight—a fitting end to a remarkable season. As he summed up, "This might be my only time. I really hope it’s not, and I’m confident it’s not going to be my only time sitting here alone (on the sofa). I want to enjoy this moment, because not many people ever will get to experience what I managed to experience today." And with that, Norris and his supporters raised a toast—not just to a new champion, but to the spirit of racing done the right way.
