F1 news: Winners and losers from the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Lando Norris secures world title

Lando Norris finished third at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to clinch the 2025 Drivers’ Championship, while Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri did all they could to deny him by finishing first and second, respectively.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Eloise Stevens breaks down the winners and losers from the final race of the season.

Winner – Lando Norris

Norris came home as the ultimate winner, finishing P3 to claim his maiden Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship.

After two anticlimactic weekends in Las Vegas and Qatar, immense – and unnecessary – pressure was placed on the final race in Abu Dhabi.

Norris, however, looked to be the coolest guy in the room, delivering another flawless drive to achieve exactly what he needed in order to become F1’s 35th world champion.

He faced persistant pressure from the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc for much of the race and had to survive a hair-raising moment while overtaking Yuki Tsunoda, who was later penalised for weaving, but as the new world champion said himself, his best performances have come when he needed them most.

Now, having been accused of bottling under pressure or being too open about his emotions for years, he has shown just how far he’s come.

Nice guys do finish first, after all.

READ MORE: Lando Norris crowned F1 world champion at Abu Dhabi finale despite Max Verstappen win

Loser – Oscar Piastri

Piastri may be the most undeserving loser of the weekend.

He finished P2, pulled off what could have been a crucial overtake on his team-mate in the opening lap, and even set off after Verstappen for the win.

Yet, he ultimately fell short of the main prize he had held close so firmly for much of the season – the Drivers’ Championship.

In the end, his outstanding performances throughout the year will offer little comfort in the face of defeat, but they do underline one thing: the Australian is more than capable of fighting for the title in the future.

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Winner – Max Verstappen

Verstappen may be seen by some as a loser for missing out on the Drivers’ Championship despite winning the race at the Yas Marina circuit.

But in truth, he would be a loser in name only.

Falling short of the title by just two points in a season where both he and Red Bull have been far from their best is an extraordinary achievement in itself.

His latest victory also gives him the most wins and poles for the 2025 season in spite of McLaren’s overall dominance.

McLaren admittedly left the door open for Verstappen, but there is no doubt that his own performances were instrumental in bringing the title fight down to the finest of margins.

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Loser – Yuki Tsunoda

Tsunoda could have been considered a loser before the race even began given the announcement ahead of race weekend that he had lost his seat at Red Bull to Isack Hadjar.

He was, however, still able to play a vital role in Verstappen’s championship fight, providing a tow for the Dutchman in qualifying and holding up Norris in the main race, although both efforts ultimately proved to be in vain.

His final outing ended with a disappointing P14 and a five-second penalty for weaving on the straight while battling Norris – a stark contrast to his team-mate’s race victory and near-title triumph.

It was thus a fitting, if not unfortunate, reflection of Tsunoda’s year: his efforts have often been admirable but never quite enough.

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Winner – Charles Leclerc 

Leclerc was the best of the rest in Abu Dhabi, finishing fourth after delivering arguably the most entertaining moments of the race in his battle with Norris for the final podium spot.

In the end, the pace of the McLaren proved too much for the SF-25, but given Ferrari’s recent form, it was still an impressive feat.

Leclerc can now sit back, relax, and look ahead to what he hopes will be brighter days with next year’s long-developed Ferrari car after ending the season on a high. 

Loser – Mercedes 

Mercedes finished off what has been a mediocre campaign with a mediocre race.

They achieved their main objective for the weekend by securing second place in the Constructors’ Championship, ending up 18 points ahead of Red Bull, but there was little else to celebrate.

George Russell crossed the line nearly 49 seconds behind race winner Verstappen after losing positions at the start, while Kimi Antonelli never truly managed to move forward from the back of the pack.

It was a flat conclusion to a season in which Mercedes often struggled to find momentum.

MORE FROM ELOISE STEVENS: F1: Winners and losers from the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix