Max Verstappen sends message to Lando Norris as McLaren driver clinches the 2025 F1 championship

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McLaren driver Lando Norris has won the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ championship by finishing third at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

It was a perilous start for Lando Norris, who watched Max Verstappen retain the lead into turn one with Oscar Piastri on his tail.

McLaren never revealed whether it was planned, but Piastri then overtook Norris before the end of the first lap on the hard compound tyres as he looked to make an almost impossible championship victory happen from third on the grid.

Was this the best drive of Lando Norris’ career so far? 👏

Despite the immense pressure, Norris got the job down in Abu Dhabi to win his first ever Drivers' Championship

“Thank you guys, you made a kid’s dream come true, I love you guys. I love you mum, I love you dad.”

Lando Norris’ radio reaction

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Piastri was told to race for Norris, but in the end, he didn’t need to, as although Norris was vulnerable, his nearest rival, Charles Leclerc, couldn’t find a way past him.

It means for the first time since the end of the 2021 season, Verstappen is no longer the current Formula 1 champion.

The Dutchman was quick to react to Norris’ win, giving him a hug on the grid before he greeted his parents, before paying tribute to the sport’s newest champion.

READ MORE: McLaren driver Lando Norris’ life outside F1 from parents to celebration

Max Verstappen reacts to Lando Norris winning the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ championship

Verstappen spoke to Sky Sports F1 (7/12 4:08 pm) about Norris’ title win, and he said: “I didn’t even see it like losing to be honest.

“I mean, he has had a very good season. I mean, I think in general it’s been a tough battle between himself and Oscar, and at one point I got into the fight.

“But I think winning your first championship is always super emotional. It’s very special because obviously, everyone on the grid here is always dreaming about that moment.

“So, I hope he really enjoys it with his family tonight and of course the team.”

In another interview, Verstappen joked: “You should enjoy this, you don’t know how much this will occur in your life!

“The first one is always very special, so I hope he throws a huge party tonight.”

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Lando Norris adds his name to the list of Formula 1’s closest championship wins

Norris secured victory in the championship over Verstappen by just two points, and several events can be looked at as the reason why he’s Formula 1’s newest champion.

His late overtake on Kimi Antonelli in Qatar decided the title, as did McLaren swapping Norris and Piastri’s positions in Monza after a slow pit stop.

Piastri asked McLaren to act after Norris barged into him in Singapore, and a similar position swap that evening would have handed Verstappen the title.

After years of the Dutchman running away with the championship, it was a nice change of pace for a title to be decided on the final day.

Although the race didn’t live up to the drama of the last time that happened in 2021, McLaren can finally celebrate their first double since Mika Hakkinen’s victory in 1998.