Norris finished third behind Max Verstappen in final race to deliver McLaren its first world drivers’ crown since 2008.
Published On 7 Dec 2025
A tearful Lando Norris claimed his maiden Formula One world drivers’ title in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, ending Max Verstappen’s four-year reign.
The Briton finished third in the season closer behind race winner Verstappen and the other title challenger, McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, to claim the crown by two points.
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After he crossed the line, his team engineer told him: “That’s it, mate, you are world champion, world champion!”
“Thank you guys, you made a kid’s dream come true,” he replied.
“I haven’t cried in a while. I didn’t think I would cry, but I did,” Norris said on the podium in the desert night at the floodlit Yas Marina Circuit.
“I want to thank my mum, my dad; they’ve supported me since the beginning.
“It feels amazing, I know now what Max feels like a little bit. I want to congratulate both Max and Oscar, I’ve enjoyed it, it’s been a long year!” he added.
A great year for McLaren
McLaren, headed by team principal Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown, secured back-to-back constructors’ titles in Singapore last month.
“That was exciting, a little too exciting, awesome,” said Brown.
“What an effort, Lando and Oscar, what a fantastic season!” added the American.
Norris becomes Britain’s first world champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2020 with this 13th drivers’ crown for McLaren.
The 26-year-old’s succe