Lando Norris wins first F1 world title after tense Abu Dhabi finale - ESPN

YAS MARINA, Abu Dhabi — Lando Norris became the Formula 1 world drivers' champion for the first time after securing the 2025 title at Sunday's season finale in Abu Dhabi.

The McLaren driver fought off year-long challenges from teammate Oscar Piastri and defending champion Max Verstappen before clinching the title at the final round, where all three had a chance.

Norris, starting second, was overtaken by Piastri early but held off the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc to finish third, which was all he needed to triumph. Verstappen won the race, but finished two points behind Norris in the standings.

Norris' title brings an end to Verstappen's run of four consecutive championship victories, which stretched back to the Red Bull driver's first title win in 2021.

«Thank you guys,» an emotional Norris said on the team radio afterward. «I love you guys, thanks for everything. I love you Mum, I love you Dad. And I'm crying!»

In securing this year's title, Norris became the first McLaren driver to win the world championship since Lewis Hamilton secured his first title in 2008.

Norris appeared to be locked on for the title after consecutive victories in Mexico and Brazil earlier this year, but McLaren's double disqualification for a technical infringement in Las Vegas and a strategy error at the Qatar Grand Prix saw the fight for the championship go down to the final round in Abu Dhabi.

The 26-year-old has driven for McLaren in F1 since 2019 after joining the team as a junior and reserve driver in 2017.

His first five seasons with the team yielded no victories, but when McLaren brought a key upgrade to its car ahead of last year's Miami Grand Prix, Norris secured his first F1 race win the same weekend.

— Norris has become Britain's 11th