McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain reacts after changing into a world champion after the Abu Dhabi System One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
Darko Bandic/AP
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Darko Bandic/AP
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — McLaren driver Lando Norris clinched his first System 1 title on the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.
Purple Bull driver and defending champion Max Verstappen gained the race with Norris inserting third behind his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri in second, which allowed Norris to complete two factors forward of Verstappen within the season-long standings.
Piastri was additionally in rivalry for his first F1 title and completed third within the standings, 13 factors behind Norris.
The 26-year-old Norris grew to become the primary British champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2020, and he additionally denied Verstappen a fifth straight title.
Norris entered the three-way battle 12 factors forward of Verstappen and 16 forward of Piastri.
Verstappen began from pole place for Purple Bull with Norris on the entrance row beside him and Piastri third on the grid. Verstappen wanted Norris to be fourth or decrease and Norris needed to end outdoors the highest 5 if Piastri gained.
Verstappen’s astounding late-season cost got here near unseating each McLaren drivers after they’d shared the lead all through the season after which have been undone by driver and team-strategy errors.
However even Verstappen’s season-leading eighth win and 71st of his profession couldn’t cease Norris, who stored his composure on Sunday having been below extreme stress in current weeks.
The McLaren motorhome erupted with pleasure and CEO Zak Brown congratulated Norris on the staff radio in his traditional jovial method.
“Lando, this is Zak from McLaren. Is this the world champion hotline? You did it! You did it! Awesome,” Brown stated.
Norris did not know whether or not to snigger or cry. He did each.
“Oh my God, thanks so much. I love you guys. Thanks for everything,” Norris stated after which broke down in tears.
After crossing the road, Norris stayed in in his automobile for a number of moments, visibly emotional. His mother and father have been on the aspect of the observe and he went over to hug them earlier than celebrating along with his McLaren engineers and mechanics.
