Lando Norris emotional after Lewis Hamilton message on F1 world title triumph - latest
Max Verstappen finishes two points behind F1’s 11th British world champion after he won season finale in Abu Dhabi
Lando Norris has won his first F1 world championship after a thrilling finale to the season in Abu Dhabi, edging out Max Verstappen by just two points.
The McLaren star, who becomes the 11th British F1 world champion, held off Red Bull’s four-time world champion, who won the grand prix, and teammate Oscar Piastri, who was second at Yas Marina Circuit.
Norris overcame a nightmare start, with Piastri overtaking him to move up to second and the Briton then avoided a punishment for overtaking Yuki Tsunoda with McLaren’s Zak Brown describing the Red Bull as “Dangerous”.
Norris safely pitted throughout the closing stages of the race and expertly guided his car home to land a historic double for the Papaya.
Follow live reaction and analysis from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with The Independent below:
How Lando Norris repelled Max Verstappen’s terrific comeback to win 2025 F1 title
This time on Yas Island, there was no incomprehensible twist of Formula 1 fate. No late crash, no safety cars, no race manipulation.
The reality was that it was always going to take something extraordinary for Lando Norris to blow this year’s drivers’ title and, to the delight and relief of the McLaren team on tenterhooks trackside, the closing laps progressed without incident.
Their golden boy had his triumph.
How Lando Norris repelled Max Verstappen’s terrific comeback to win 2025 F1 title
'Everyone at McLaren have done an amazing job'
Brown also spoke about McLaren’s strategy of letting both their drivers race and challenge for the title.
"To us, it's the right way to go racing with two awesome racing drivers,” he explained.
“Very proud of how everyone conducted themselves, the teamwork, the highs and lows, and how we dealt with the lows.
"The teamwork and everyone at McLaren have done such an amazing job, great pit stops today, great strategy."
'Piastri is a future world champion'
"He is a future world champion,” Zak Brown said of Oscar Piastri.
“Drove brilliantly, they supported each other, it's cruel support, and I am excited to go racing with these guys next year."
Oscar Piastri jokes with Max Verstappen over Abu Dhabi Grand Prix strategy
Oscar Piastri was seen joking with Max Verstappen over his decision not to “back everyone up” in the F1 season finale at the Abu Dhabi GP.
Lando Norris prevailed as world champion by podiuming at the Yas Marina Circuit, doing what was required to secure a first title by finishing third behind Verstappen and Piastri to finish two points clear of the Dutchman.
Oscar Piastri jokes with Max Verstappen over Abu Dhabi Grand Prix strategy
F1 title glory made all the sacrifices worth it
Lando Norris’ emotional parents said his Formula One world championship win made all the sacrifices worth it, while Carlos Sainz believes the British driver has proven you can win the title and be a “nice guy”.
Norris got over the line to clinch his maiden crown after finishing third in Abu Dhabi to see off Max Verstappen – who won the race – by just two points in the championship standings.
Lando Norris’ emotional parents: F1 title glory made all the sacrifices worth it
When is F1 drivers’ world championship trophy presented?
The F1 world champion has been crowned – but Lando Norris will have to wait to receive his trophy.
The 26-year-old became Britain’s 11th F1 world champion after securing the points he needed at the season-finale in Abu Dhabi, finishing third behind Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri. It means Norris takes the title by just two points.
Yet Norris will have to wait until Friday to receive his actual trophy.
When is F1 drivers’ world championship trophy presented?
Where does Lando Norris rank in the history of British Formula 1 world champions?
It’s now official: Lando Norris is a Formula 1 world champion.
The 26-year-old has become Britain’s 11th F1 world champion and also becomes McLaren’s eighth world champion and first since Lewis Hamilton in 2008.
Hamilton was the last British champion in 2020 and is a joint record-holder overall as a seven-time world champion. But where does he and Norris rank in the list of British champions?
Where does Lando Norris rank in the history of British Formula 1 world champions?
'Max and Oscar made my life hard'
“You can't not think about it, but it's a long race, anything in Formula 1 can happen, I kept pushing,” explained Norris about handling the pressure of the race.
“I could ease off at the end, but I wanted to fight for the end, Max fighting all the way, Oscar catching up, they made my life hard. But I'm happy.”
F1 World Drivers' Championship standings
Here’s how the 2025 Formula 1 Drivers Championship finished up:
1. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 423
2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 421
3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 410
4. George Russell (Mercedes) - 319
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 242
6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 156
7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 150
8. Alexander Albon (Williams) - 73
9. Carlos Sainz (Williams) - 64
10. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) - 56
11. Nico Hulkenberg (Kick Sauber) - 51
12. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) - 51
13. Oliver Bearman (Haas) - 41
14. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 38
15. Esteban Ocon (Haas) - 38
16. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) - 33
17. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) - 33
18. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 22
19. Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber) - 19
20. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) - 0
21 Jack Doohan (Alpine) - 0
'I didn't think I'd cry but I did'
Here’s Lando Norris trying to get his feelings across after claiming the F1 world title.
“I've not cried in a while, I didn't think I'd cry, but I did, it's a long journey,” Norris says.
“First of all, I want to say a big thanks to my guys, everyone at McLaren, my parents, I'm not crying.
“My Mum and Dad, they're the ones who supported me since the beginning.
“I know what Max feels like a bit, also my teammate, it's been a pleasure, I've learned a lot from them. It's been a long year, but we did it, I'm so proud of everyone."
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