A new driver has put his name in the Formula 1 record books by winning the World Drivers' Championship. Lando Norris has captured the biggest prize in the sport.
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Norris, who drives for McLaren, did not win Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which closed out the F1 season. He did not need to cross the finish line first. Norris just needed to deliver a podium finish, which he did by crossing the line in third place behind race-winner Max Verstappen and runner-up Oscar Piastri.
Norris won the World Drivers' Championship over Verstappen by a mere two points, and he delivered McLaren its first championship since Lewis Hamilton in 2008.
LANDO NORRIS IS THE 2025 FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPION!!!! 🏆#F1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/Rg4cc4OwlU
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 7, 2025
"As we've seen many times, anything can happen," Norris said after winning his first title, per the official F1 website. "So I just kept pushing. I wanted to fight to the end. [Verstappen and Piastri] certainly did not make my life easy this year. But I am happy!
"It has been a long journey with McLaren, I've been with them for nine years. For me to bring something back to them, I feel like I did my part for the team this year. So I'm proud of myself, but I'm more proud of everything I have made cry."
This season featured three drivers contending for the championship. Norris, who won seven Grands Prix, won five of the first 14 events. This kept him in the championship hunt despite failing to finish two events. He then added two more wins as the end of the season approached.
Land🍩#F1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/DGpMUv4FUS
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 7, 2025
Piastri also won seven Grands Prix while competing with his McLaren teammate for the title. He won seven of the first 15 events but also lost points due to a DNF and a disqualification.
Verstappen led this group with eight wins this season, and he only had one DNF. He just did not have the three points he needed to capture his fifth title and keep the Oracle Red Bull Racing streak alive.
