Lando Norris has made history by winning his first Formula 1 championship during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 7, 2025. The McLaren driver clinched the title after finishing third in the race, edging out Max Verstappen of Red Bull by just two points in the final standings.
Verstappen started from pole position and maintained his lead throughout the race, while Norris began in second place, followed closely by his teammate Oscar Piastri in third. The race unfolded dramatically, with Piastri overtaking Norris on the first lap, pushing him down to third place.
Norris faced a challenging moment in the 17th lap when he made a pit stop, dropping to ninth position. However, he quickly regained ground, moving back up to fourth. Piastri’s teammate, Juki Tsunoda, was tasked with holding Norris back to create an opening for Charles Leclerc, who was also vying for a strong finish. This strategy was crucial for Verstappen, who needed to recover two points in the championship race.
In a significant turn of events, Norris overtook Tsunoda on lap 23. As the race progressed, the stewards decided not to penalize Norris for leaving the track while overtaking, but they did impose a five-second penalty on Tsunoda for unsportsmanlike conduct after he changed directions twice while defending his position.
With a final tally of **423 points**, Norris emerged as the champion, while Verstappen finished with **421 points** and Piastri secured third with **410 points**. As Verstappen crossed the finish line first, celebrating his race victory, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when Norris finished third, igniting jubilant celebrations for his championship win.
The success of Norris marks a significant milestone in his career and a proud moment for McLaren, who have celebrated numerous victories in Formula 1 history. This championship victory not only highlights Norris’s talent and determination but also sets the stage for an exciting future in the sport.
