Lando Norris finally secured his maiden Formula 1 drivers’ championship after six years of trying. It wasn’t too long ago when he and McLaren were nearly at the bottom of the pecking order, and now they’re both on top of the world.
Norris’ path to winning his first title was not exactly smooth during the final rounds of the campaign, following his victory in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. But because he built a big enough cushion heading into last weekend, the Formula 1 2025 odds remained in his favour.
It was actually Verstappen who won at the Yas Marina Circuit, but he ultimately fell short in the title race. The Dutchman’s four-year reign has come to an end after finishing second behind Norris. On the other hand, McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri finished third after a P2 run.
Here are some of the latest Formula 1 2025 updates, courtesy of SBOTOP.
Norris didn’t have to do too much to win maiden crown
Norris only needed at least a P3 finish to win his maiden drivers’ championship after he had a 12-point edge arriving at the finale, and that’s what the British driver did last Sunday. He started second on the grid after missing out on pole position.
Max Verstappen made a strong getaway to keep his pole advantage over Norris and Piastri, with Charles Leclerc and Fernando Alonso in fourth and fifth, and George Russell dropping to sixth. Halfway through the opening lap, Piastri made the bold move of overtaking Norris around the outside of Turn 9, despite driving on hard tyres.
Norris still held the position and points he needed to secure the championship, but he needed to fend off pressure from drivers behind him. During the fourth lap, Leclerc piled on pressure with DRS in Turn 9, but the SF-25 lacked enough punch to overtake the MCL39.
19 laps later, Norris came under pressure from Yuki Tsunoda, who was ahead of him. Norris got within the DRS window and used it to charge past Tsunoda. The Japanese driver received a penalty for almost forcing Norris off the track and onto the grass.
From then on, it was smooth sailing for Norris, who left his MCL39 in tears after realising he had finally won it all. Norris became the 35th driver in Formula 1 history to win the title, and he recently confirmed he’ll don the No. 1 next term.
Dominant drive not enough for Verstappen
Max Verstappen ended his 2025 campaign on a high note by winning his third consecutive race in Abu Dhabi, where he dominated from start to finish. Despite this, he fell short of his fifth crown, as he finished a mere two points adrift of Lando Norris. He might not have successfully defended his title, but Verstappen was content to secure second place, given that he was more than 100 points behind the frontrunner at one point this year.
“I’m very proud of the whole team. We could have also very easily given up at that point, when you’re that far behind,” Verstappen said. “We didn’t win the championship, okay, that happens, that’s life, and it’s not something that I’ll be too sad about. I mean, life goes on.”
Meanwhile, teammate Yuki Tsunoda finished 14th on the grid after receiving a five-second penalty for his scrap with Lando Norris. The Japanese international has been demoted to being a reserve driver for the team next year, with Isack Hadjar taking his seat and Arvid Lindblad promoted to the Racing Bulls’ No. 2 behind Liam Lawson.
Hamilton hits new low to cap off poor campaign
Lewis Hamilton said he couldn’t wait to enter the offseason after enduring what has been the worst season of his illustrious Formula 1 career.
“At the moment I’m only looking forward to the break,” Hamilton told reporters. “Just to disconnect, not speaking to anyone. No one will be able to get in touch with me this winter. I won’t have my phone with me and I’m looking forward to that. Completely unplug from the matrix.”
In the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Hamilton qualified 16th and finished eighth. Overall, the seven-time world champion finished sixth, his lowest championship position, after failing to secure a single podium finish. With the sole exception of his Sprint victory in China, Hamilton has been comprehensively out-qualified in 19 of the 24 Grands Prix and outraced by his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, who is above him in fifth. His worst career outing came in Las Vegas, where he qualified 20th on the grid.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FORMULA 1 STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
