- By Gurmeet Batra
- Sun, 07 Dec 2025 08:03 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
F1 Abu Dhabi GP: Lando Norris scripted history, secured his maiden Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship title with a compelling performance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, despite finishing third in the race.
The four-time champions Max Verstappen took home the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix crown with a top finish. Verstappen took his eighth victory of 2025. But it was not enough to secure him the title; however, he ended the year with more victories than anyone else, and just two points shy of a fifth straight title.
Red Bull's Verstappen, who capped the campaign with more victories (eight) than any driver, triumphed in the season-ender with McLaren's Oscar Piastri second and 12.5 seconds behind at the chequered flag.
Norris, Britain's 11th Formula One world crown, took his points tally to 423 with Verstappen on 421 and Piastri third with 410.
McLaren, who confirmed the constructors' crown in October for the second year in a row, won both championships in the same season for the first time since 1998.
"I've not cried in a while. I didn't think I would cry but I did," said an emotional Norris in a post-race interview posted on F1.
"It feels amazing. I now know what Max feels like a little bit. I want to congratulate Max and Oscar, my two biggest competitors the whole season. It's been a pleasure to race against both of them. It's been an honour, I've learned a lot from both," he added.
Charles Leclerc finished fourth in Sunday's race for Ferrari with George Russell fifth for Mercedes and Fernando Alonso sixth for Aston Martin.
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Esteban Ocon secured seventh place for Haas, ending ahead of Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, who survived a challenging season characterised by a career-low failure to stand on the podium.
Hamilton's lack of victory was an astonishment, especially after joining Ferrari from Mercedes.