McLarenâs British driver Lando Norris celebrates with the trophy on the podium after finishing the race third to win the world championship title at the end of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on December 7, 2025.
| Photo Credit: AFP
Lando Norris claimed his maiden Formula One world driversâ title in Abu Dhabi on Sunday (December 7, 2025), ending Max Verstappenâs four-year reign.
The Briton finished third in the season-closer behind race winner Verstappen and the other title challenger, McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, to claim the crown by two points.
Norris, in tears on the team radio, said, âThanks so much. I love you mum, I love you dad.â
âThat was exciting, a little too exciting, awesome,â said McLaren team principal Zak Brown.
Norris becomes Britainâs first world champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2020 with this 13th driversâ crown for McLaren.
The 26-year-oldâs success comes over half a century after Emerson Fittipaldi claimed the British marqueâs first driversâ title in 1974.
A galaxy of F1 greats followed â James Hunt (1976), Niki Lauda (1984), Alain Prost (1985, 1986, 1989), Ayrton Senna (1988, 1990, 1991), Mikka Hakkinen (1998, 1999) and Hamilton in 2008.
McLaren, headed by team principal Andrea Stella and CEO Brown, secured back-to-back constructorsâ titles in Singapore last month.
Sundayâs (December 7) season-closer was the first time the title was decided by a contest involving more than two drivers since a four-way scrap at the final race in Abu Dhabi in 2010.
Published â December 07, 2025 09:17 pm IST
