2 points decide

The Formula 1 showdown in Abu Dhabi, LIVE from 2pm

Lando Norris is world champion!(Bild: AP/Fatima Shbair)

Formula 1 has a new world champion! McLaren driver Lando Norris finished third on Sunday in Abu Dhabi to claim the crown of motorsport's premier class. The day's victory went to Max Verstappen, who was beaten by the Briton by just two points in the championship battle. Norris' team-mate Oscar Piastri - third in the drivers' standings - finished second at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Lando Norris celebrated his first Formula 1 World Championship title in Abu Dhabi with tears of joy and plenty of bubbly. Third place in the McLaren at the final Grand Prix on the Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday was enough for the Briton to take the crown in the premier class of motorsport. Red Bull driver Max Verstappen took the win ahead of Oscar Piastri, but the Dutchman remained two points behind Norris in the overall standings and is therefore dethroned after four world championship triumphs.

First title since 2008
"I'm so proud," said Norris on the radio, tearfully thanking the team and his family. "You guys deserve this. I love you mom, I love you dad." McLaren boss Zac Brown replied jubilantly: "We've done it!" Norris is the 35th world champion in Formula 1 history and the eleventh Briton. For McLaren, which also secured the Constructors' Championship last year and this year, it is the first drivers' title since Lewis Hamilton in 2008. The traditional British racing team also celebrated its first title double in 27 years (1998).

For Verstappen, 421 championship points were not enough and he missed out on his fifth championship crown in a row. Only Michael Schumacher has ever achieved this. "We were strong and dominant, that's the positive thing about this weekend. What we've achieved over the last few months is incredible. It's a shame that we're only two points behind in the end," explained Verstappen in the Sky interview. Piastri, who led the championship standings for a long time this year, had to settle for third place in the end. Meanwhile, second place in the team standings behind McLaren went to Mercedes ahead of Red Bull Racing.

The start in Abu Dhabi(Bild: AFP/GIUSEPPE CACACE)

Race without any major upsets
McLaren sent its two drivers into the race with different strategies and this time - in contrast to the last two races - didn't let anything get in the way. Verstappen claimed the lead from pole position at the start ahead of Norris and Piastri. The Australian then attacked Norris and overtook his team-mate after just a few corners. Norris, for whom third place would be enough, subsequently defended this position against the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc.

Oscar Piastri(Bild: EPA/Andrej ISAKOVIC / POOL)

The first series of tire changes brought no excitement. Norris made good progress through the traffic ahead of him until he came across the Red Bull of Yuki Tsunoda. On the instructions of the command post, the Japanese driver made himself borderline wide on the track during the Briton's overtaking maneuver on lap 24, but was unable to prevent it and even received a 5-second penalty. The "bulls" had hoped for help from other drivers in the run-up to the race, but this did not materialize. The closest Leclerc came was to stand up to third-placed Norris, but he kept the Ferrari at bay. This remained the case even after the second tire change.

Verstappen ultimately crossed the finish line safely ahead of Piastri - both were on a one-stop strategy. Behind them, everything remained orderly without any major incidents, with all 20 drivers taking the chequered flag. The beneficiary of this was Norris. "It feels great. I know a bit how Max feels now. Congratulations to Max and Oscar, my biggest rivals all season. It was fun to race against those two. It was an honor. I also learned a lot from both of them. It's been a long year, but we've done it," explained the Briton.

Cheering and crying Norris
The new champion explained that he had been pursuing this dream for 16 or 17 years with the support of his parents. "Today we got it done," said Norris, who kept crying and therefore said he looked like a "loser". "It's incredible and surreal. I've been dreaming of this for a long time. You put a lot into a season like this, there have been a lot of ups and downs. But it doesn't matter in the end, when you're at the top, everything falls into place."

Verstappen congratulated Norris in sporting terms.(Bild: AFP/ANDREJ ISAKOVIC)

Verstappen congratulated his rival fairly and advised him: "It's important that he celebrates with his family and his team. Whenever you achieve something for the first time, it's very special." Norris' team-mate Piastri drew a mixed balance. "I wouldn't say I'm happy. But I'm not sad either. It was an incredible season compared to the first two years I had in Formula 1. It was definitely a huge step forward. There are still steps to go, but it was also a very well-deserved world championship for Lando."

Leclerc finished fourth in Abu Dhabi ahead of George Russell (Mercedes) and Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin). Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton finished his first year with the Scuderia - which went anything but to plan - in eighth place and sixth overall behind Russell (4th) and Leclerc (5th). The Briton only said tellingly that he was now looking forward to Christmas. He doesn't want to think any further ahead. In any case, 2026 will bring numerous technical innovations to Formula 1 and the cards will be reshuffled.