Thrilling Finale: Lando Norris Crowned 2025 Formula 1 World Champion!
The 2025 Formula 1 season concluded with an unforgettable finale in Abu Dhabi. While Max Verstappen won the final race of the season at Yas Marina Circuit, the championship battle ended in favor of Lando Norris, who secured his first-ever Formula 1 world title by finishing third.
The Start and Early Laps
As the five red lights went out, the 58-lap race began in dramatic fashion. Starting from pole position, Max Verstappen made a perfect getaway and led into the first corner. Lando Norris followed in second, with Oscar Piastri right behind. Verstappen and Norris started on medium tyres, while Piastri opted for hard compounds.
Before the end of the first lap, Piastri overtook Norris to claim second place. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc and Fernando Alonso engaged in a fierce battle for fourth. George Russell, despite reporting brake pedal issues, managed to pass Alonso and climb to fifth.
Strategy Battles and Penalties
As the race developed, the intensity increased. Leclerc began pressuring Norris, prompting McLaren to ask Piastri to increase his pace. Around lap 9, drivers who started on soft tyres began to pit. Liam Lawson was handed a five-second time penalty for unsafe driving.
On lap 15, pit stops for medium-tyre runners started, with Norris being the first among the leading trio to stop. After rejoining, Norris found himself behind Yuki Tsunoda but quickly passed him after a brief battle. Both drivers were investigated, but only Tsunoda received a five-second penalty.
Alex Albon was also penalized for speeding in the pit lane, while Pierre Gasly picked up a time penalty for exceeding track limits later in the race.
Final Stages and Championship Glory
On lap 41, Norris made his final pit stop and maintained third position. Shortly after, Piastri also pitted and rejoined the race in second place. The order remained unchanged through the closing laps.
Max Verstappen took the chequered flag to win the race. However, thanks to his points advantage over the season, Lando Norris was crowned the 2025 Formula 1 World Champion, despite finishing third. Oscar Piastri completed the podium in second place.
With this result, celebrations erupted in the McLaren garage as Norris secured his place in Formula 1 history.
