Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Lando Norris Clinches Maiden F1 Title With Third-Place Finish

McLaren driver Lando Norris held his nerve but could not hold back the tears after clinching his first Formula 1 title at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday (December 7, 2025). Red Bull driver and defending champion Max Verstappen won the race with Norris placing third behind his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri in second, which allowed Norris to finish two points ahead of Verstappen in the season-long standings. Norris became Britain's 11th F1 champion, a racing journey that began with kart racing when he was eight years old. The first of his 11 F1 race wins came last year, when he finished second overall in the standings.

Updated on: 8 December 2025 9:16 am

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025 Formula 1 Race photo-McLaren driver Lando Norris

New Formula One World Champion McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain leaves the track after the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE. | Photo: AP/Fatima Shbair

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Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025 Formula 1 Race photo-Lando Norris

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain reacts after becoming a world champion after the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE. | Photo: AP/Altaf Qadri

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Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025 Formula 1 Race photo-Max Verstappen

Race winner Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, center, poses on the podium with second placed McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia, left, and third placed McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain after the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE. | Photo: AP/Altaf Qadri

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McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain celebrates after becoming a world champion after the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE. | Photo: AP/Fatima Shbair

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Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands reacts after winning the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

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Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025 Formula 1 Race photo-Lando Norris of Britain

Third placed, new Formula One World Champion McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain burns tires after the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE. | Photo: AP/Altaf Qadri

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Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025 Formula 1 Race photo-Oscar Piastri

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia steers his car during the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE. | Photo: AP/Altaf Qadri

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Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025 Formula 1 Race photo-Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain in action during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

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Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025 Formula 1 Race photo-Red Bull driver Max Verstappen

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates as the sun sets behind the track. | Photo: AP/Altaf Qadri

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McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain steers his car during the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE. | Photo: AP/Altaf Qadri

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Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025 Formula 1 Race photo-George Russell

Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain steers his car during the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE. | Photo: AP/Fatima Shbair

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Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025 Formula 1 Race photo-Lewis Hamilton of Britain

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain in action during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

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Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE. | Photo: AP/Fatima Shbair