By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Lando Norris secured his debut Formula One world championship with a third-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, overcoming a season-long battle. Despite rivals Verstappen and Piastri finishing ahead, Norris’s performance was enough to clinch the title by two points, marking a significant victory for McLaren after a challenging period. The win marked the end of McLaren’s drought for a drivers’ championship since 2008 and brought an end to Norris’s seven year career. The victory was a testament to Norris’s determination and composure throughout the season.
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Lando Norris wins the Formula 1 World Title in Abu Dhabi, despite Max Verstappen’s victory in the final Grand Prix of the 2025 season. It was a dramatic culmination to a season filled with twists, turns, and the relentless pursuit of points. The championship was decided not by the final race result alone, but by the accumulation of points earned across the entire season. And in this case, Norris, despite not taking the checkered flag in Abu Dhabi, had built a commanding lead throughout the year that proved insurmountable.
It’s an interesting scenario, isn’t it? Verstappen, known for his dominant performances, secured the race win, showcasing his exceptional driving skill. However, the championship isn’t just about winning individual races, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Norris consistently delivered throughout the season, racking up race wins and podium finishes, securing crucial points that ultimately gave him the edge. While Verstappen put in a stellar performance at the final race, the overall points tally favoured Norris, crowning him the champion.
The focus on the last race, while understandable, often overshadows the larger picture. Every single point gained throughout the season holds equal value. To put it simply, Norris’s consistent excellence throughout the season, combined with strategic brilliance and perhaps a touch of good fortune, proved to be the winning formula. He didn’t need to win the final race; he had built a buffer large enough that a podium finish would secure the title. And as it turned out, that’s exactly what he needed.
It seems the McLaren team had a bit of a rollercoaster season. At times, they made the championship much closer than it should have been. Although McLaren had moments of brilliance, they also faced setbacks, including strategy missteps and mechanical issues. These challenges, however, couldn’t derail Norris’s impressive performance. The car, while undoubtedly competitive, wasn’t always flawless. Even with the car’s potential, Norris’s consistent delivery and strategic approach put him in a position to capitalize on the season’s opportunities, including perhaps, McLaren doing everything they could to give the edge to Max.
Verstappen’s dominance often made his teammates look somewhat less capable, but his skill level is, arguably, the best the sport has to offer. He has an aggressive, “pointy” driving style, and the car’s design has evolved around it, making it less accessible for other drivers. Max’s talent is undeniable; he has an innate ability to extract the maximum from any car, pushing boundaries and consistently outperforming the competition. This has led to Red Bull cars being built with Max’s driving preferences in mind, which does not always suit the style of the other drivers on the team, who have not been able to achieve the same level of success.
The focus on Max’s driving style and the car’s development in his image also creates a challenging environment for his teammates. The Red Bull car, perfectly attuned to Max’s driving preferences, has made it difficult for other drivers to match his pace. The pressure to perform alongside a driver of Max’s calibre and a car seemingly tailored solely for his style, only amplifies the challenge. It’s an uphill battle to try and adapt to a car not designed for your driving style and to keep up with Max’s blistering pace.
In the end, this F1 season was a thrilling one, full of ups and downs, strategic decisions, and, of course, the extraordinary talent of the drivers. Despite Verstappen’s final race victory, the title went to Lando Norris. This victory underscores the importance of consistency, strategic planning, and the accumulation of points throughout a long and challenging season. It shows that in Formula 1, while the final race is always exciting, the championship is won by the driver who can consistently perform at the highest level, race after race.