Lando Norris secured his maiden Formula 1 World Championship in an intense, dramatic season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
While Max Verstappen took the race victory and Oscar Piastri finished second, Norris’s steady third-place finish was enough to clinch the coveted title by a slender two-point margin in the Drivers’ Standings.
Race Highlights and Penalties
The race saw plenty of action and drama that kept the championship battle alive until the very end:
- Clean Start: Pole-sitter Verstappen maintained his lead, but Norris was immediately overtaken by his teammate, Piastri, on Lap 1 for P2.
- Charging Through: Norris executed a strategic pit stop and utilized fresh tyres to chase down the leaders.
- Key Penalties: Several drivers incurred time penalties throughout the race, impacting their final positions:
- Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda (for erratic driving and more than one change of direction, respectively) each received a 5-second penalty.
- Alex Albon was penalised 5 seconds for speeding in the pitlane.
- Pierre Gasly received a 5-second penalty for exceeding track limits.
- Movers: Lewis Hamilton had an impressive drive, climbing from 16th to 8th, while Charles Leclerc moved up one spot from 5th to 4th.
In the end, it was a spectacular race that sealed a well-deserved championship for Lando Norris and McLaren.
You can find all the comprehensive analysis and reaction to this historic title win on ESPN F1. We look forward to the 2026 season!
