Perfect Verstappen, but Lando Norris is the Formula 1 world champion

Lando Norris is the new Formula 1 world champion. The 26-year-old McLaren driver finished third in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which was enough for him to triumph for the first time as champion.

The race at the Yas Marina circuit was dominated by the perfect Max Verstappen (Red Bull), who finished in the leading position after 58 laps. In second position in the 24th and final round of the season, Oscar Piastre from McLaren remained.

Norris started from second position behind Max Verstappen, but on the first lap he lost second place to his teammate Oscar Piastre, who made a great overtake on the outside of the ninth turn. However, this did not bother Norris, who did not go to fight with Verstappen and Piastre at all, knowing that he simply had to get on the podium to win the world title, reports sportal.bg.

The Briton had a very controlled race, in which he finished in third position, despite a moment of fear during the attack on Yuki Tsunoda on lap 23. Then the McLaren driver was pushed off the track on the straight before the sixth turn, but did not give up his attack, which attracted the attention of the stewards. However, they decided to penalize Tsunoda for more than one change of direction on the straights, which allowed Norris to drive more calmly to the finish.

Fourth in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was Charles Leclerc, who was close enough to Norris at the start to attack him, but never found the necessary speed to overtake the McLaren driver and finished 6.7 seconds behind the Briton. George Russell finished fifth, and points from the last race of the season were also taken by Fernando Alonso, Esteban Ocon, Lewis Hamilton, Lance Stroll and Oliver Bearman.

In the final drivers' standings, Lando Norris won the title with an asset of 423 points and an advantage of only two over Max Verstappen. Third in the standings with 410 points is Oscar Piastre, who led the championship for 15 rounds, but lost ground in the decisive moments at the end of the season.

Among the teams, McLaren finished the year with 833 points, second place went to Mercedes with 469 points, and the third place with 451 was formed by Red Bull. Ferrari with 398 and Williams with 137 also made it into the top 5.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ended the 2025 season, and the next campaign will begin with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, which will be held between March 6 and 8. Next year, a complete redistribution of forces is possible, as completely new technical rules will come into force, which include new aerodynamics, new chassis and new drive systems.

Formula 1 champions for the last 15 years:
2025 - Lando Norris (Great Britain, McLaren)
2024 - Max Verstappen (Netherlands, Red Bull)
2023 - Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2022 - Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2021 - Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2020 - Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain, Mercedes)
2019 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2018 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2017 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2016 - Nico Rosberg (Germany, Mercedes)
2015 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2013 - Sebastian Vettel (Germany, Red Bull)
2012 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2011 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2010 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)