Lando Norris claimed his maiden Formula 1 World Championship in 2025, pipping four-time defending champion Max Verstappen by a razor-thin two points in a season that swung wildly between McLaren supremacy and Red Bull resilience. Norris sealed the crown with third place at Abu Dhabi, where Verstappen took the chequered flag but could not overhaul the McLaren driver's slender lead. McLaren-Mercedes dominated constructors' honours, their papaya cars racking 10 wins from 24 races and rewriting the record books.
Oscar Piastri starred as Norris's wingman, taking seven victories including China, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Miami, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands and Qatar. The Australian's consistency—second in the drivers' standings—proved pivotal, though intra-team tensions flared with a Canada collision that cost McLaren dear. Verstappen fought back with poles and triumphs at Japan, Emilia Romagna, Italy, Azerbaijan, United States, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, his Brazil pit-lane charge to podium a season highlight.
Drama defined the calendar. Nico Hulkenberg's rain-lashed podium from 19th at Silverstone after 5,593 days dry earned fan acclaim, while George Russell stole Canada and Singapore for Mercedes. Kimi Antonelli dazzled with fastest laps and leads for Mercedes, Ollie Bearman scrapped midfield, and Yuki Tsunoda joined Red Bull alongside Verstappen after Lawson’s demotion. Off-track shocks included Christian Horner’s Red Bull exit, McLaren's Vegas double DQ, Norris-Piastri Canada clash, and Verstappen's Spanish duel with Russell.
McLaren's papaya surge broke Red Bull's streak, Norris's Abu Dhabi P3 clinching amid Verstappen's race win. Piastri's seven triumphs and Hulkenberg's Silverstone magic capped a year fans hailed for unpredictability. As 2026 looms, Norris stands atop F1's mountain, Verstappen plots revenge, and McLaren savours a constructors' dynasty reborn.