YAS MARINA, Abu Dhabi -- Lando Norris has become a Formula 1 world drivers' champion for the first time after securing the 2025 title at the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
The McLaren driver fought off year-long challenges from his teammate Oscar Piastri and defending champion Max Verstappen before clinching the title at the final round on Sunday, where all three had a chance.
Norris, starting second, was overtaken by Piastri early but held off the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc to finish third, all he needed to triumph. Verstappen won the race, but finishes two points behind Norris in the standings.
Norris' title brings an end to Verstappen's run of four consecutive championship victories, which stretched back to the Red Bull driver's first title win in 2021.
"Thank you guys," an emotional Norris said on team radio afterwards. "I love you guys, thanks for everything. I love you mum, I love you dad. And I'm crying!"
In securing this year's title, Norris becomes the first McLaren driver to win the world championship since Lewis Hamilton secured his maiden title with the team in 2008.
Norris appeared to be locked on for the title after consecutive victories in Mexico and Brazil earlier this year, but McLaren's double disqualification for a technical infringement in Las Vegas and a strategy error at the Qatar Grand Prix saw the fight for championship go down to the final round in Abu Dhabi.
The 26-year-old has driven for McLaren in F1 since 2019 after joining the team as a junior and reserve driver in 2017.
His first five seasons with the team yielded no victories, but when McLaren brought a key upgrade to its car ahead of last year's Miami Grand Prix, Norris secured his first F1 race win the same weekend.
A further three wins followed in 2024, although an attempt to mount a title challenge against Verstappen was snuffed out by the Red Bull driver with three rounds remaining.
McLaren's strong finish to 2024 meant Norris entered 2025 as the bookies' favourite, although it became clear early in the season that he would face stiff competition from teammate Piastri.
Norris won the opening round in Australia but then went six races without a race victory as Piastri notched up four of his own and took the lead of the championship at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in April.
Norris' title hopes appeared to hang by a thread in August when a car failure saw him retire from the Dutch Grand Prix and drop 34 points behind Piastri in the championship standings.
However, a combination of Piastri's own struggles and Norris hitting a patch of form that included his memorable victories in Mexico and Brazil saw the title swing back in Norris' favour.
Norris' final steps towards the title were complicated by both McLarens being disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix for plank wear before the team's pit wall dropped the ball in Qatar by not pitting either car under a safety car.
That set up a decider in Abu Dhabi, with Verstappen entering the final race 12 points behind Norris and Piastri 16 points behind.
Norris' title means he has become the 35th driver to win the world championship in Formula 1's 75-year history.
