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Norris secures title with third-place finish in season finale
McLaren's Lando Norris clinched his first Formula 1 world championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, finishing third to edge out Max Verstappen by two points in the standings. The 26-year-old becomes the 11th British driver to win the title.
Race dynamics and championship implications
Verstappen crossed the line first at Yas Marina Circuit, but Norris's podium ensured he overtook the Dutchman in the final points tally. McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri finished second in the race and third in the championship, capping a dominant season for the Woking-based team.
Norris reflected on his achievement, stating he plans to "live a normal few days" and "forget I drive in F1" before shifting focus to the future. His consistency and strategic overtakes-including a contentious move on Yuki Tsunoda-proved pivotal in his title bid.
Controversial overtake and stewards' decision
Norris's pass on AlphaTauri's Tsunoda sparked debate after the Briton briefly left the track. Stewards ruled the maneuver legal, citing Tsunoda's defensive weaving as the cause. The FIA's report noted Tsunoda "made multiple moves," forcing Norris off-track to avoid contact. Tsunoda received a penalty for his defensive tactics.
"Had Tsunoda not made those moves, Norris would have overtaken without going off track,"
FIA stewards' report
Hamilton's struggles and Ferrari's challenges
Lewis Hamilton endured a difficult debut season at Ferrari, failing to secure a podium for the first time in his career. The seven-time champion was outperformed by teammate Charles Leclerc in qualifying and races, raising questions about his adaptability to the SF-25 car.
Hamilton attributed his struggles to the car's aerodynamic design, which clashed with his late-braking style. The 2026 regulations, reverting to a "step-plane" philosophy, may better suit his strengths. Observers caution against age-related conclusions, noting the 40-year-old's potential resurgence next season.
Verstappen's record-breaking season without the title
Verstappen's 2025 campaign ranks among the most dominant non-title-winning seasons in F1 history. Despite winning the most races of the year, Red Bull's inconsistent car performance and lack of a competitive second driver hindered his championship defense.
Analysts compared his season to Fernando Alonso's 2012 effort, where the Spaniard nearly won the title in an inferior Ferrari. Verstappen, however, expressed no regrets: "I've hated this car at times, but I always tried to extract the most from it."
Overtaking woes and future solutions
Critics argue F1's current cars and circuits limit overtaking opportunities. The 2022 regulations aimed to improve racing but yielded minimal gains as teams optimized downforce. Pirelli's tires, while more durable, still overheat when following closely, reducing grip.
Next year's rules introduce moveable front and rear wings, replacing DRS with a push-to-pass system. However, the impact on racing remains uncertain.
What's next for Norris and McLaren
Norris downplayed expectations for 2026, emphasizing growth over immediate success. McLaren's leadership praised his maturity and adaptability, hinting at a long-term partnership. The team's dual podium in Abu Dhabi underscored their resurgence as title contenders.
