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Lando Norris took the 2025 FIA Formula One World Drivers’ Championship title with a third place finish in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He beat race winner Max Verstappen to the title by two points, ending Verstappen’s dominance of the F1 championship for four straight seasons. Oscar Piastri finished the race in second place to end the season in P3 overall.
“It feels amazing,” said Norris post-race. “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 honor. I’ve learned a lot from both of them as well, so I’ve enjoyed it. It’s been a long year. But we did it. And I’m so proud of everyone.”
Norris faced multiple challenges during the race. This started when the lights went out and Verstappen launched and moved across the track to relegate Norris to P2 in the first turn. Perhaps worse, later in the first lap, McLaren teammate Osca Piastri passed Norris thereby moving into P2. Norris needed to finish on the podium to take the title. Enter Ferrari. Charles Leclerc shot into fourth at the start began. He was now in the mirrors of Norris.
However, Leclerc was overworking his tires and started slowing down. Lecler pitted, but so did Norris. They both reappeared in traffic. Norris then drove like a champion. First passing Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and Williams’ Alex Albon; then passing the Aston Martin of Lance Stroll and the Williams of Alex Albon – both in Turn 6. Now he was back to P4, behind the Red Bull of Yuki Tsunoda, who without question had team orders to impede Norris to help Verstappen.
He attacked Tsunoda – whose future as a driver is uncertain – and Tsunoda darted back and forth to block him. Norris was forced off track but got by. Gaining a position like that could result in a penalty. The incident was investigated by the Stewards who in a refreshingly clear reading of the rules of competition tendered Tsunoda a five-second time penalty for making more than one change in direction.
Norris was then told by McLaren on the radio to settle down and ease up a bit now that he was in P3 – a podium position. He did. When the checkered flag dropped he was the Champion. Next year the entire field will have to contend with Verstappen once again.
“I’m very proud of the whole Team and the incredible turnaround that we had,” said Verstappen of Oracle Red Bull Racin post-race. We never gave up and always believed we could turn things around and never stopped trying. We could have very easily just given up, but we kept pushing, looking for improvements and always believed. This season has been a massive rollercoaster, with lots of tough moments and feelings, but I’m so proud of everyone and we have really come together as a Team.
“The turnaround in the second half of the season was incredible and pretty crazy that we could do that and we overcame a lot. Today has been a lot of fun, especially winning the race in such a dominant way. We had an incredible weekend and did everything as best as we could, so ultimately I feel good today. Although not winning a Championship by two points looks painful, going back to Zandvoort we were behind by over 100 points, so it is great what we have achieved. Of course, for Lando this is something very special and I hope he enjoys it a lot.
“The first Championship win is the most emotional one and it is something you dream of since you were a little kid. His family are here and I hope he enjoys tonight with his team. Finally, I wanted to thank the whole Team in the factory and on track: we never gave up and always believed. I am very proud of the people that I work with, they are my second family,”said Verstappen.
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About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Lando Norris Wins Formula One World Drivers’ Championship
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Lando Norris took the 2025 FIA Formula One World Drivers’ Championship title with a third place finish in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He beat race winner Max Verstappen to the title by two points, ending Verstappen’s dominance of the F1 championship for four straight seasons. Oscar Piastri finished the race in second place to end the season in P3 overall.
“It feels amazing,” said Norris post-race. “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 honor. I’ve learned a lot from both of them as well, so I’ve enjoyed it. It’s been a long year. But we did it. And I’m so proud of everyone.”
Norris faced multiple challenges during the race. This started when the lights went out and Verstappen launched and moved across the track to relegate Norris to P2 in the first turn. Perhaps worse, later in the first lap, McLaren teammate Osca Piastri passed Norris thereby moving into P2. Norris needed to finish on the podium to take the title. Enter Ferrari. Charles Leclerc shot into fourth at the start began. He was now in the mirrors of Norris.
However, Leclerc was overworking his tires and started slowing down. Lecler pitted, but so did Norris. They both reappeared in traffic. Norris then drove like a champion. First passing Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and Williams’ Alex Albon; then passing the Aston Martin of Lance Stroll and the Williams of Alex Albon – both in Turn 6. Now he was back to P4, behind the Red Bull of Yuki Tsunoda, who without question had team orders to impede Norris to help Verstappen.
He attacked Tsunoda – whose future as a driver is uncertain – and Tsunoda darted back and forth to block him. Norris was forced off track but got by. Gaining a position like that could result in a penalty. The incident was investigated by the Stewards who in a refreshingly clear reading of the rules of competition tendered Tsunoda a five-second time penalty for making more than one change in direction.
Norris was then told by McLaren on the radio to settle down and ease up a bit now that he was in P3 – a podium position. He did. When the checkered flag dropped he was the Champion. Next year the entire field will have to contend with Verstappen once again.
“I’m very proud of the whole Team and the incredible turnaround that we had,” said Verstappen of Oracle Red Bull Racin post-race. We never gave up and always believed we could turn things around and never stopped trying. We could have very easily just given up, but we kept pushing, looking for improvements and always believed. This season has been a massive rollercoaster, with lots of tough moments and feelings, but I’m so proud of everyone and we have really come together as a Team.
“The turnaround in the second half of the season was incredible and pretty crazy that we could do that and we overcame a lot. Today has been a lot of fun, especially winning the race in such a dominant way. We had an incredible weekend and did everything as best as we could, so ultimately I feel good today. Although not winning a Championship by two points looks painful, going back to Zandvoort we were behind by over 100 points, so it is great what we have achieved. Of course, for Lando this is something very special and I hope he enjoys it a lot.
“The first Championship win is the most emotional one and it is something you dream of since you were a little kid. His family are here and I hope he enjoys tonight with his team. Finally, I wanted to thank the whole Team in the factory and on track: we never gave up and always believed. I am very proud of the people that I work with, they are my second family,”said Verstappen.
AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.