Max Verstappen wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Lando Norris becomes 2025 Formula 1 champion

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Lando Norris claimed his maiden Formula 1 title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after joining teammate Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen on the podium.

Despite a tense race, he did exactly what he needed to, managing his race perfectly and remaining calm under pressure while his rivals sat ahead of him on Sunday.

Verstappen got the start he needed and held both McLaren drivers off into turn one, before a surprise move towards the end of lap one from Piastri on harder tyres caught Norris napping, promoting him to second.

The gaps remained fairly stagnant until the first set of pit stops, when McLaren brought Norris in to cover George Russell and Charles Leclerc.

He fought his way through traffic before crucially coming up against Yuki Tsunoda in the Red Bull. He finally got past him on lap 24, despite being off the track, but still had a Ferrari breathing down his neck.

After staying out, Piastri would have to push his planned first stop of the race back when Norris had to pit to cover his rivals for a second time.

The Aussie rejoined in second, with a clear margin to his teammate, but more than a pit stop behind Verstappen out front.

The running order would remain the same until the end, with Verstappen refusing to back the pack up, rolling to a 71st career victory.

Norris didn’t have it easy, pushing right to the end, holding on to third place, not far ahead of Leclerc in the Ferrari.

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Lando Norris wins the Formula 1 title as Max Verstappen wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix