Lando Norris is Formula 1 world champion for the first time after claiming third place in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The Briton just needed a podium finish to clinch the world title ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, and got it.
Verstappen won the race comfortably but was unable to force Norris’ hand in any way, at the end left praying for fourth-placed Charles Leclerc to pass Norris. It was not to be.
Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every practice, qualifying session and race in the FIA Formula One World Championship™ LIVE in 4K. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
Piastri passed Norris on the opening lap to add some jeopardy to proceedings but was otherwise unable to produce the miracle that he required (a win with Norris sixth or worse).
‘Didn’t want to back everyone up?’ | 00:41
Norris won the title by just two points from Verstappen. That’s notable because Norris would have lost three points if Piastri had not allowed his teammate to pass him at Monza.
Of course, there were more moments than just that impacting the margin – for example Norris gaining two points late in Qatar, or his engine blowing up in the Netherlands. But it’s a sour note to a season that should’ve been so much more enjoyable.
The Australian will head into next year with belief he can win the world title with the right machinery. Notably, this was just his third F1 season – it was Norris’ seventh, matching Verstappen who won his first title in his seventh season also.
But it’s unknown which constructor will have the advantage under 2026’s radical new rules, and it marks a heartbreaking end to a campaign that promised so much.
Piastri led the world championship for longer than anyone else in 2025 and only gave up the lead with poor form after the European swing, plus some misfortune.
After Piastri won the Dutch Grand Prix, when Norris failed to finish, he led the world title race by 34 points.
He did not win another race for the season, and instead posted two seconds (Qatar and Abu Dhabi), a third (Monza, when he gave up the position to Norris), a fourth and three fifth-places. He retired from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and was disqualified, with Norris, at Las Vegas.
But it was the questionable moments – Monza, plus the penalty which cost him a win at Silverstone and created a 14-point swing – which will sting the most.
They proved critical because Piastri was 16 points back heading into the season’s final race and rather than truly battling for the title was reliant on a Norris disaster.
Piastri keeps hope alive with epic pass | 00:30
In Abu Dhabi, Piastri started on the hard tyres with Norris, Verstappen and most of the top 10 on the mediums – with the Aussie hopeful of finding opportunities later in the race.
But instead, he found one on lap one, as after the leaders got through the opening corners safely Piastri swept past his teammate for second place.
Norris found himself under pressure from the surprisingly pacey Ferrari of Charles Leclerc.
He was forced to pit into traffic to cover off Leclerc and George Russell behind him, keeping virtual third on the road, though losing time to Verstappen and Piastri who continued out in front.
Piastri ran very long on his hards, so much so that Verstappen was able to pit and eventually overtake him, before the Aussie finally went into the pits with 16 laps remaining.
Norris’ strategy became all about defending third place from fourth-placed Leclerc who pitted late onto a quicker set of mediums.
He faced some brief drama when having to pass the second Red Bull of Yuki Tsunoda, who failed to repeat Sergio Perez’ 2021 Abu Dhabi heroics when he stalled Lewis Hamilton. Instead Tsunoda forced Norris off the track while being passed, and was penalised for doing so.
Tsunoda pushes Norris off track! | 00:47
Piastri faded late as the title pecking order became obvious with no drama over the final 10 laps of the race.
Verstappen on pole for title-decider | 03:07
Starting grid for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
1 Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull)
2 Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren)
3 Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren)
4 George Russell (GBR/Mercedes)
5 Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari)
6 Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin)
7 Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA/Sauber)
8 Esteban Ocon (FRA/Haas)
9 Isack Hadjar (FRA/Racing Bulls)
10 Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/Red Bull)
11 Oliver Bearman (GBR/Haas)
12 Carlos Sainz (ESP/Williams)
13 Liam Lawson (NZL/Racing Bulls)
14 Kimi Antonelli (ITA/Mercedes)
15 Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin)
16 Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Ferrari)
17 Alex Albon (THA/Williams)
18 Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Sauber)
19 Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine)
20 Franco Colapinto (ARG/Alpine)