Lando Norris has been crowned Formula One World Champion after finishing third at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, edging out Max Verstappen by just two points in one of the tightest title races in recent memory.
The 26-year-old Briton sealed the championship with a calm and controlled drive, as Verstappen won the race and Oscar Piastri finished second to give McLaren the perfect team result.
Norris finished the season with 423 points, narrowly ahead of Verstappen’s 421, while Piastri ended on 410. The result also confirmed McLaren’s first Drivers’ and Constructors’ title double since 1998, ending Verstappen’s four-year dominance of the sport.
The Abu Dhabi race itself was packed with tension. Verstappen controlled the front from the opening lap, but McLaren executed a smart team strategy, with Piastri placed in a position to protect Norris and respond to any late pressure.
Norris kept his composure despite pressure from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and a brief on-track battle involving Yuki Tsunoda, ensuring he did just enough to secure the championship.
The title marks a historic milestone for Norris, who becomes the 11th British driver to win the Formula One World Championship, achieving the feat in his seventh season in the sport.
For McLaren, the triumph completes a remarkable season and confirms their return to the top of Formula One.
