Norris is crowned champion, ending Verstappen’s four-year reign

Lando Norris won his first ever Formula 1 World Championship in this year’s event. Abu Dhabi Grand PrixBy finishing third in this race. Norris, despite winning the Grand Prix and Max Verstappen’s victory, was able to beat him by two points in the standings, 423-421. The result ended Verstappen’s four-year championship run. It signals a major change at the top.

Norris is 26 years old. This marks both a personal milestone and a historic moment. McLaren last won the title of drivers with Lewis Hamilton in 2008, but this is Norris’ first time. Analysts said Norris’s consistency in 2025, which included podiums, strategic races, and resilience when faced with setbacks was decisive.

A tense finale — strategy and nerves tested

Key moments in the season decider

Norris went into the final knowing that only a finish in the top-three would guarantee him the title. Norris faced intense rival pressure in Abu Dhabi and lost several positions at first. Oscar Piastri, Verstappen and Norris finished the race ahead of each other. Norris held a crucial podium position.

The win capped off a season that was full of highs, but also lows. Early victories were overshadowed by incidents such as the disqualification twice of McLaren vehicles in Las Vegas, and a strategic mistake in Qatar. Norris was able to perform and recover in crucial moments, demonstrating the combination of intelligence, skill and nerve that won him the title.

Verstappen dethroned after four-year streak

Formula 1 shifts its top team

Verstappen failed to achieve a fifth world championship in a row, which would have equaled some Formula 1 records. This was despite winning the race in Abu Dhabi. After his four-year reign from 2021 to 204, Verstappen’s dominance ended and reshaped the competitive landscape of the top sport. The two-point difference highlighted the fact that even a single position in a race can affect an entire season.

Norris’s victory represents a revival for McLaren. Norris is the 11th British F1 driver to win the world championship. His success signals renewed credibilty for a McLaren team that was once considered one of F1’s elite teams but has recently struggled with top-tier results.

What it means for Formula 1

Norris’s victory in the championship shows that consistency throughout a season is as important as individual victories. The win also highlights the importance for strategic decision making, technical reliability and driver composure in stressful situations.

This result will inspire other drivers and teams, showing that even when facing historically dominant figures, championships are still within reach. The competitive field could see more changes as F1 approaches the 2026 season. Top teams may recalibrate their strategies to compete with Norris and McLaren.

Takeaways

• Lando Norris, who finished the year with 423 out of a possible 500 points, wins his first F1 championship. Verstappen, on the other hand, finishes just a few points behind him.
• Even though Verstappen won the race, a third-place finish at Abu Dhabi is enough to secure the title.
• Verstappen’s four-year streak of championships ends, opening a new era in the sport.
• McLaren has won its first Drivers’ Crown since 2008. It is a sign of resurgence for the McLaren team.
• This outcome shows the importance of strategy, consistency and resilience over a whole season.

A new champion, a new era

Lando Norris’s coronation as 2025 world champion Verstappen’s dominance in Formula 1 is over and a new era of unpredictable racing begins. It represents a new level of excitement and competition for drivers, teams and fans.