ABN DHABI, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 Formula One World Championship (F1) concluded on Saturday with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Red Bull driver Max Verstappen won the race, while McLaren driver Norris finished third, securing his first F1 Drivers' Championship with 423 points.
Before this race, Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri were ranked first, second, and third in the drivers' standings with 408, 396, and 392 points respectively. The three will directly compete for the championship in the final race, with Norris securing the title if he reaches the podium.
Norris celebrates his victory after the match. (Xinhua/Photo)
In the race, Verstappen held pole position after the start, while Piastri overtook his teammate Norris on the outside of Turn 9 to move into second place. The three drivers implemented different pit stop strategies, but the positions remained essentially unchanged. Verstappen ultimately crossed the finish line first, securing his eighth Grand Prix victory of the season. Fellow McLaren drivers Piastri and Norris finished second and third respectively. Norris broke Verstappen's four-season winning streak, becoming the 35th F1 Drivers' Champion in history. McLaren team successfully defended its Constructors' Championship title.
Norris had a rollercoaster season, leading the drivers' championship in the first four races, but was overtaken by Piastri in the Saudi Grand Prix. He didn't regain the top spot until winning the 20th race, the Mexican Grand Prix, where he took the initiative in the race for the drivers' championship.
Norris celebrates his victory after the match. (Xinhua/Photo)
Norris was born in Bristol, England in 1999. After a career in karting, F4, and F3, he became a test driver and reserve driver for McLaren in 2017, and officially became a McLaren F1 driver in 2019. Norris made his F1 debut at the 2019 Australian Grand Prix; he finished third at the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix, reaching the podium for the first time in his F1 career; and at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, Norris won his first F1 race.
The 2026 season will consist of 24 races, kicking off in Melbourne, Australia from March 6 to 8 and concluding in Abu Dhabi on December 6. The Chinese Grand Prix, the second race of the season, will be held at the Shanghai International Circuit from March 13 to 15. The new F1 season will also introduce new technical standards and welcome its 11th team, Cadillac.
