The 2025 Abu Dhabi GP title decider delivered one of the most intense season finales in recent memory. Max Verstappen won the race at Yas Marina, but Lando Norris finished third, enough to clinch his maiden Formula 1 World Championship by just two points. Oscar Piastri took second in the race and third overall after a bold opening lap move, but the night ultimately belonged to Norris.
How the 2025 Abu Dhabi GP title decider unfolded
Norris arrived in Abu Dhabi with a 12 point lead over Verstappen and a 16 point cushion over Piastri. A podium was all he needed, but the early pressure was real.
Piastri made the first big statement. Starting third on hard tyres, he swept around the outside of Norris at the banked Turn 9 on Lap 1, pushing the championship leader into the clutches of Charles Leclerc. Norris spent the opening phase managing tyres, defending when it mattered and avoiding unnecessary risks as McLaren reassured him that the strategy would come to him later.
A tense mid-race sequence followed when Norris rejoined from his first stop behind Antonelli, Sainz, Alonso and Lawson. Memories of famous Yas Marina DRS trains resurfaced, but Norris cut through the pack quickly and decisively. Once clear, he rebuilt his pace and stabilised his position.
Leclerc launched a late chase on fresher mediums, closing the gap rapidly at one stage, but Norris halted the slide, matched the Ferrari and then pulled away again. When he crossed the line in third place, the championship was his.
Verstappen wins on the night but loses the title by two points
Verstappen delivered the perfect race from his side of the equation. He converted pole into the lead, controlled the pace and kept Piastri at arm’s length. His eighth victory of the season extended his record of Abu Dhabi wins from pole, yet it was not enough to overturn Norris’ podium requirement.
It was a painful margin, but Verstappen left the finale satisfied with how he and Red Bull dragged themselves back into contention after falling more than 100 points behind mid-season.
Piastri’s brilliant opening, strong drive and narrow heartbreak
Piastri needed a miracle to win the title, but he produced one of the highlights of the race with his Lap 1 move on Norris. On a long opening stint with hard tyres, he briefly led once Verstappen pitted, then rejoined after his own stop still in front of Norris.
What he lacked was the pace to close down Verstappen’s 20 second advantage, and by the final laps his focus shifted to consolidating second rather than chasing the impossible. Third place in the championship capped a breakout season.
Tsunoda drama adds mid-race tension
Norris’ most stressful moment came when he caught Yuki Tsunoda. The Red Bull defended aggressively, forcing Norris fully off-track with all four wheels beyond the white line. The stewards quickly launched an investigation and handed Tsunoda a five second penalty for erratic driving, removing any threat of sanction for Norris. McLaren described the defence as dangerous and unnecessary, but the incident did not alter the title outcome.
Mercedes seal P2 in the Teams’ standings
There was plenty happening behind the title battle.
- Mercedes secured second in the championship thanks to George Russell’s P5, completing a season where he finished every race.
- Ferrari ended fourth after Leclerc’s superb P4 and Hamilton’s P8.
- Aston Martin scored P6 and P10 through Alonso and Stroll, ending the year just three points behind Racing Bulls.
- Haas achieved their best ever Yas Marina result with Ocon P7 and Bearman P9.
- Kick Sauber completed their final race before becoming Audi with P11 and P12 for Bortoleto and Hulkenberg.
- Williams, Racing Bulls and Alpine rounded out the field.
A defining moment for McLaren and the start of a new chapter
The Abu Dhabi GP capped a season where Verstappen won more races, Piastri led the standings for longer, but Norris was the driver who combined consistency, speed and resilience when it mattered most. He becomes the 35th World Champion and McLaren’s first since Lewis Hamilton in 2008.
A short winter now lies ahead before new regulations and Audi’s entry reshape the grid for 2026. But Abu Dhabi 2025 will always be remembered as the night Lando Norris finally became Formula 1 World Champion.
