Formula 1 News: Verstappen wins Abu Dhabi GP, Norris wins title with 3rd place

Max Verstappen (pictured grabbing the lead at the start) did all he could by winning the 2025 Abu Dhabi GP at the Yas Marina Circuit, but #4 Lando Norris did what he had to by finishing 3rd and just beating Verstappen by 2 points for his first 2025 World Driving Championship.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Verstappen took the lead from pole and won the race by 12.739s over Oscar Piastri’s #81 McLaren. It was Verstappen’s 71st career Formula 1, and 8th win of the year. He won 6 of the last 9 races but came up 2 points short for his 5th straight title  after being 104 points behind 9 races ago.

It was the most incredible comeback in F1 history, but No. 1 is about to leave the nose of the Red Bull.

But what a reign it has been by the Dutchman, and what a season he has put together despite having the second-fastest car.

An escstatic Lando Norris was a comfortable third, 16.150s behind Verstappen. He was elated to have won his first driving title. What a recovery after that DNF in Zandvoort. He was 34 points behind his teammate, and he closed that gap, never gave up, and has taken the title for McLaren.

“I didn’t think I would cry but I did,” said Norris. It is a long journey. I want to say a big thanks to my guys, everyone at McLaren, my parents.

“I now know what Max feels like a little bit! I want to congratulate Max and Oscar as well, it has been a pleasure to race against both of them, and to learn from both of them.

“But we did it, we did it!

“As we’ve seen many times, anything can happen. So I just kept pushing. I wanted to fight to the end. [Verstappen and Piastri] certainly did not make my life easy this year. But I am happy!

“It has been a long journey with McLaren, I’ve been with them for nine years. For me to bring something back to them, I feel like I did my part for the team this year. So I’m proud of myself, but I’m more proud of everything I have made cry.”

A spirited Charles Leclerc brought the #16 Ferrari home in 4th, 23.279s behind Verstappen’s Red Bull.

George Russell rounded out the top-5 for Mercedes, 48.352s behind Verstappen and he did enough to lock up 2nd place in the constructor’s title. That means many millions of dollars of extra season-ending prize money.

Fernando Alonso brought his #14 Aston Martin home in 6th, a distant 67.562s behind the winner.

Esteban Ocon’s Haas and Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari had a great battle for 7th with it finally going to Ocon.

Kick Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg made up plenty of ground to end his 250th race in ninth, while Lance Stroll took the final point in 10th, despite a penalty for erratic driving.

This is the end of an era for the current cars, and next year brings all new engines and new car designs that can change the pecking order in F1.

2025 Abu Dhabi GP Race Results – 58 Laps