Lando Norris wins first F1 world title after finishing third in Abu Dhabi, Max Verstappen second by two points

Lando Norris has become the 11th Briton to win a Formula 1 world title after sealing the 2025 crown by two points from Max Verstappen. Third place was enough to see him finish clear of his nearest rival Verstappen, as well as his team-mate Oscar Piastri, who also had a chance of winning the title this weekend. Norris thanked his team and family after his victory.

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McLaren driver Lando Norris won the Formula One drivers’ championship after he finished third at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.

Norris was disqualified from the Las Vegas GP two weeks ago, which set up a season-ending finale where three riders could have emerged as the world champion.

Norris, his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri, and Red Bull rival Max Verstappen were all in with a shout of glory depending on the results on Sunday.

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Verstappen was close to his best this weekend after a storming lap to gain pole, and he won in Abu Dhabi to give himself the best chance of claiming the 2025 title. It was his eighth Grand Prix win of the year, one more than both Norris and Piastri managed.

However, Norris only needed to finish in third spot to be sure he would win the world championship for the first time in his career, and despite some pressure from Charles Leclerc in his Ferrari, back in fourth place, he was ultimately comfortable on his way to a decisive podium finish.

Norris’s race was also made easier because his team-mate Piastri finished in second, and would have been able to assist had it been needed.

The result meant that Norris finished the season on 423 points, two clear of Verstappen. Piastri came in third place on 410 points.

The win marks a turnaround for McLaren, who have now landed their first drivers’ and constructors’ title double since 1998.

Red Bull have endured a difficult season by their standards, and it brings to an end Verstappen’s remarkable run of success with the team. He won four consecutive world titles between 2021 and 2024, missing out by just two points in the current campaign.

After months of speculation that the 28-year-old driver might leave the team at the end of the season, he has confirmed that he will race for them for next year at least, though his contract runs until 2028.

Team principal Christian Horner left the team in September, after he was initially removed from his post in July. Horner had guided the team since their entrance into F1 in 2005, and the Austrian outfit landed eight drivers' championships and six constructors' championships.

While the McLaren has been the fastest car on balance this season, Norris' championship will be given added credibility by the fact that he won it in the face of a tough challenge from Verstappen, who is widely acknowledged as the finest driver of his generation.

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Norris cried in the car after the race, and was congratulated by his team. Norris replied: "Thank you guys, you made a kid's dream come true. I love you guys. I love you mum, I love you dad."

He is the 11th British Formula 1 world champion, the most recent being Lewis Hamilton, who last claimed the title in 2020.

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