Lando Norris winning his first Formula One world drivers’ championship title was confirmed at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He led a remarkable turnaround in 2022, punctuated by his ridiculous grit and talent. It’s Wednesday, December 14, 2025, and the 26-year-old driver just crossed the finish line in third place. He finished third behind race winner Max Verstappen and his teammate Oscar Piastri. Norris finished the year with 423 points—2 more than Verstappen. This win represents a huge personal accomplishment in his journey as a professional race car driver.
This win puts a stop to Verstappen’s domination as world champion the last four years. It further cements Norris’ place as Britain’s first world champion since Lewis Hamilton secured a seventh title in 2020. The win represents McLaren’s 13th drivers’ crown, solidifying the team’s storied legacy in Formula One racing.
A Season of Triumph
Norris’s road to the championship has been one of grit and collaboration. In a short speech after the race, he expressed gratitude to his team and supporters. “I was actually surprised that I cried, but I did,” he confessed. His emotional reaction highlights just how important this title was to him both as an individual and in terms of career trajectory.
Having spent the last nine years with McLaren, Norris reflected on the road he’s traveled with the squad. “It has been a long journey with McLaren. I’ve been with them for nine years,” he reflected. All that sacrifice and toil bore fruit, leading to this groundbreaking victory for him and the team.
He took the time to acknowledge the efforts of his teammates, shining a light on the sense of teamwork that fueled their success this season. He remarked, “What an effort, Lando and Oscar, what a fantastic season!” His gracious recognition of Piastri is an example of the ongoing team spirit permeating through the McLaren clan.
A Historic Moment for McLaren
Team principal Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown shared in Norris’s triumph, recognizing the significance of this victory for McLaren. Brown commented on the exhilarating nature of the race, stating, “That was exciting, a little too exciting, awesome.” His quotes do well to summarize the kind of fierce competitiveness and excitement that shaped this past year’s championship contest.
Individually, Norris’s achievement is yet another feather in McLaren’s storied cap in the annals of Formula One history. With this title, he follows the footsteps of some of the most celebrated drivers to ever race under the team’s banner and seize championships for the team previously. The emphatic victory serves as a further reminder that McLaren are a powerful force to be reckoned with in the sport.
Notably, as a winner-to-be, Norris included Verstappen and Piastri in his gracious display of sportsmanship. “I want to congratulate both Max and Oscar, I’ve enjoyed it, it’s been a long year!” he stated, highlighting his respect for his rivals.
The Path Ahead
Norris is enjoying every moment of this monumental victory, he knows there’s more work to be done in seasons to come. He noted, “As we’ve seen many times, anything can happen,” acknowledging the unpredictable nature of Formula One racing.
His victory celebration at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix concluded one of the tightest seasons ever. It tees up an exhilarating long-term future for Norris and McLaren. The racing world can’t wait to see how this championship victory affects both Norris’s future and McLaren’s plans in the years to come.
