Lando Norris becomes 2025 F1 World Champion after dramatic Abu Dhabi finale: 'When you're good, you're good'

Lando Norris is the new Formula One world champion after winning the 2025 title in dramatic fashion. The McLaren driver finally ended Max Verstappen’s four-year dominance and became Britain’s 11th world champion. Norris finished the season with 423 points, just two ahead of Verstappen, making it one of the closest title fights in recent years.

The final race of the season in Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was full of tension. Verstappen won the race, Oscar Piastri finished second, and Norris crossed the line in third, enough to secure the championship. Even though Norris didn’t win the race, he made a brilliant comeback to finish on the podium after struggling initially.

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With Norris winning the drivers' championship and McLaren already having sealed the constructors' title in October, the team completed a historic double for the first time since 1998. "It's not just this year or the last seven or eight years I've been with McLaren, but the last 16 or 17 years of my life trying to chase this dream. Today we all did it, so I'm pretty happy," he said after the win.

F1 World Championship wins since 2020

2025 - Lando Norris (Britain), McLaren

2024 - Max Verstappen (Netherlands), Red Bull

2023 - Max Verstappen (Netherlands), Red Bull

2022 - Max Verstappen (Netherlands), Red Bull

2021 - Max Verstappen (Netherlands), Red Bull

2020 - Lewis Hamilton (Britain), Mercedes

Fans' reactions

After the race, fans all over the world shared their excitement and emotions online. Many praised Norris for his performance and how he managed to clinch the title despite being behind earlier in the season, with the championship battle going right down to the wire.