Formula 1: Articles & News Reports.

[Fortitude]

Abu Dhabi GP: Russell tops frantic final practice – Hamilton crashes.
George Russell snatched the top spot in a frantic final practice session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, beating championship leader Lando Norris by just 0.004s as Max Verstappen settled for third.
06/12/2025
Michael Delaney
F1i.com

FP3 delivered everything from traffic chaos to a red flag and late-session time attacks – the perfect warm-up for Sunday’s title showdown. Norris, Verstappen and Oscar Piastri all enter the finale with a mathematical shot at the crown, though the McLaren driver holds a 12-point lead over Verstappen and 16 over his team-mate.

Red Flag Chaos and Final Flurry. Just as the session reached full intensity, Lewis Hamilton brought everything to a halt. The Ferrari driver spun into the Turn 9 barrier with 29 minutes remaining and reported that “something buckled at the front and snapped the rear” as he hit the apex.

Verstappen lit the fuse with a 1m24.116s once running resumed, but Piastri immediately reset the bar with a lap half a second quicker. Norris then outdid his team-mate by another quarter of a second, thanks largely to a scorching final sector. Drama unfolded in the pitlane too, as Mercedes released Andrea Kimi Antonelli directly into Tsunoda, ending the RB driver’s session on the spot.

‘George Russell snatched the top spot’;

https://f1i.com/news/555563-abu-dhab...n-crashes.html


Abu Dhabi GP: Free Practice 3 Results
Full results from Free Practice 3 for the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
6 Dec 2025
Ben Waterworth
Speedcafe

Pos. No. Driver Team Time / Gap Laps
1 63 George Russell Mercedes 1:23.334 14
2 4 Lando Norris McLaren +0.004s 20
3 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.124s 15
4 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.251s 17
5 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.259s 17
6 31 Esteban Ocon Haas F1 Team +0.271s 19
7 87 Oliver Bearman Haas F1 Team +0.275s 16
8 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.341s 18
9 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes +0.373s 14
10 23 Alexander Albon Williams +0.388s 18

‘Free Practice 3 Results’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-a...3-fp3-results/


Nico Rosberg has heard ‘some voices’ suggesting McLaren want Lando Norris to win the F1 title
6 December 2025
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Nico Rosberg warns Oscar Piastri that it ‘won’t help’ to dwell on McLaren prioritising Lando Norris.

McLaren had opposed team orders through the first 23/24 rounds of the 2025 F1 season, as Brown and team principal Andrea Stella wanted to give Norris and Piastri an equal chance to win the title. But McLaren have faced accusations that they have prioritised Norris this term. There has been much speculation in the F1 paddock that McLaren favour Norris over Piastri over the course of 2025. Nico Rosberg also now claims that he has “heard” ahead of the Abu Dhabi GP that “everybody” at McLaren is almost rooting to see Norris claim the drivers’ title.

“For Oscar, it is a very tough situation,” Rosberg told Sky Sports News (6/12, 09:12). “He was the leader throughout most of the championship and looked like the dominant force, and then Lando has come back. It’s also a British team, and you sense that, I’m sure, without knowing exactly, but I heard some voices like Mark Webber being there and being the only Australian, and everybody is kind of a little bit towards favouring Lando as a world champion.

‘Rooting to see Norris claim the drivers’ title’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/nic...-the-f1-title/


Max P3 in third free practice of Abu Dhabi
06 December 2025
Florence Cobben
Verstappen.nl

With a quarter of an hour to go, the session is resumed. The pit lane is crowded as many drivers jockey to get onto the track. Max also heads out on a new set of soft tyres. He improves his time to a 1:24.116, but quickly has to relinquish his hold on first place to Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the McLarens, who are about half a second faster than the Dutchman.

Max returns to the pits, and heads out on a new set of soft tyres. He improves his time to a 1:23.514, placing him third behind George Russell and Lando Norris. In the pit lane, Kimi Antonelli is released straight into the path of Yuki Tsunoda, causing the two to make contact and sustain damage.

At the fall of the flag marking the end of the session, Max improves his time (1:23.458) but stays in P3. He is just 0.124 seconds slower than George Russel, while Lando Norris has a gap of four-thousandths of a second to P1. Fernando Alonso comes fourth, and the third championship contender, Oscar Piastri, finished P5.

‘Max P3’;

https://news.verstappen.com/en/article/6044/


Nico Rosberg brutally mocks Lewis Hamilton straight after Abu Dhabi Grand Prix crash
6 December 2025
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

Nico Rosberg saw Lewis Hamilton trying to put his Ferrari ‘in reverse’ after crash. As the world feed cut to Hamilton’s onboard camera, Nico Rosberg saw his former teammate trying to select reverse as if he could get going again. That prompted a brutal reaction.

“Crofty, he’s trying to put it in reverse, should we tell him he’s missing a tyre?” he quipped. Hamilton suggested over the radio that the accident was due to a mechanical issue rather than a driver error: “Something buckled at the front and snapped the rear.”

Rosberg thought the SF-25 was unsettled by striking the ground as Hamilton entered the left-hander. “It starts on the entry already,” he observed. “It starts with bottoming as he was turning in. That already loosened up the rear, and then it just had a follow-on effect. He’s already loose right at the beginning. He thinks something broke.”

‘He’s missing a tyre’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/nic...nd-prix-crash/

[Fortitude]

Abu Dhabi GP: Verstappen takes stunning pole ahead of Norris, Piastri.
Max Verstappen took pole position for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ahead of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Dec 6, 2025
ESPN

‘Max Verstappen took pole’;

https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/4...-oscar-piastri


2025 F1 Abu Dhabi GP – Qualifying Results
Dec 6, 2025
Total Motorsport

F1 Abu Dhabi GP 2025 Qualifying results
Check out the full Abu Dhabi GP 2025 Qualifying results from Yas Marina below.
Pos Driver Team Time
1 Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:22.207
2 Lando Norris McLaren +0.201
3 Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.230
4 George Russell Mercedes +0.438
5 Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.523
6 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.695
7 Gabriel Bortoleto Sauber +0.697
8 Esteban Ocon Haas +0.706
9 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls +0.865
10 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull –

‘Qualifying results’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/202...fying-results/


F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025 starting grid
Dec 6, 2025
The Race

Max Verstappen beat the two McLarens to take pole position for the 2025 Formula 1 world championship deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

No grid penalties have been incurred yet. Ten drivers - including all three title contenders - automatically triggered stewards' investigations for breaches of the maximum delta time rules but these were quickly deemed to not be worthy of penalties.

‘Starting grid’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/f...starting-grid/


Max Verstappen secures Abu Dhabi Grand Prix pole ahead of Lando Norris
6 December 2025
Rebecca Braybrook
F1 Oversteer

Max Verstappen will start the 2025 season finale from pole ahead of Lando Norris as pressure begins to build on the three championship contenders. Norris leads the standings ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with Verstappen and Oscar Piastri closely behind heading into the final race of the year.

Verstappen once again went first with a Q3 lap, which saw him initially put in a really strong first sector. Yuki Tsunoda was used to give the Dutchman a tow during the back straight, which saw Verstappen set an impressive lap time, which initially couldn’t be matched by either McLaren driver.

Russell’s first flying lap on new tyres saw him place only fifth after losing grip under the hotel. The Mercedes driver had a massive slide at Turn 14, which saw him nearly in the barrier. The Brit then asked his team to ensure he came out behind Verstappen for the final qualifying laps, hoping that the Red Bull would give him a tow and help pull him above the McLarens.

‘Max Verstappen will start the 2025 season finale from pole’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/max...-lando-norris/


Verstappen beats title rivals to pole position for championship-deciding finale | 2025 Abu…
6th December 2025
Keith Collantine
RaceFans

Verstappen took full advantage of his team mate making one of his rare appearances in Q3, as Red Bull arranged for Tsunoda to give him a tow down Yas Marina’s long straights. With Verstappen also doing his first lap on a new set of tyres, he comfortably went fastest with a lap of 1’22.295.

The McLaren drivers used old tyres for their first runs: Piastri took second, three tenths of a second behind, Norris next a further tenth back. The two orange cars took to the track ahead of Verstappen for their final runs, now on fresh tyres. Piastri, first across the line, couldn’t find enough to move up the order. Norris did, but it was only enough to relegate his team mate from the front row of the grid.

Verstappen tightened his grip on pole position by lowering his time to a 1’22.207. Russell was the last driver who looked like he had a chance to beat him but he could only manage fourth behind the McLarens, oversteering wildly out of the last corner. Leclerc salvaged a strong fifth for Ferrari ahead of Alonso and Bortoleto. Tsunoda will start 10th in the second Red Bull having not set a time in Q3.

‘Red Bull arranged for Tsunoda to give him a tow down Yas Marina’s long straights’;

https://www.racefans.net/2025/12/06/...ciding-finale/

[Fortitude]

F1 - 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Post-Qualifying Press Conference Transcript.
DRIVERS: 1 – Max VERSTAPPEN (Red Bull Racing), 2 – Lando NORRIS (McLaren), 3 – Oscar PIASTRI (McLaren)
06.12.25
PARC FERMÉ INTERVIEWS (Conducted by James Hinchcliffe)
FIA (Press Release)

Q: Max, first of all, congratulations – 48th career pole. You found an enormous amount of lap time in Q3 there. Where did that come from?
Max VERSTAPPEN: Well, in Q2 I stayed on scrubbed tyres and I think those laps already felt quite decent. And then in Q3 around here, you know, the track temp is coming down. You know that you can push a bit more and that's exactly what we did. We found a bit more lap time and, of course, incredibly happy to be in first. That's the only thing that we can do, right? That's the only thing that we can control, try to just maximise everything we have and then do what we can with the car – and we definitely did that in qualifying.

Q: Lando Norris starts outside of the front row. You guys are really writing the script for us – all three of you starting one, two, three. Lando, you're ahead of one championship rival, behind the other. Are you satisfied with how you did out there? Did you leave anything on the table?
Lando NORRIS: It's tough. I mean, Max did a good job, so congrats to him. We did everything we could. I think my lap was pretty good. I was pretty happy. So yeah, of course disappointed to not be on pole for the final weekend, but we were just not running fast enough today. So, we'll have to try do it tomorrow.

Q: And Oscar, for you, great effort throughout. You were very quick in Q1, came up a little bit short in Q3. How was the run for you?
Oscar PIASTRI: Yeah. I mean, I think it was pretty good. I think the lap I did in Q1, it was nice to finally get into a rhythm through the weekend. And honestly, I think the last lap in Q3 was pretty good as well. There wasn't a whole lot left in that. No, just not quite quick enough today. But yep, sets up a pretty exciting day tomorrow.

‘Post-Qualifying Press Conference’;

https://www.fia.com/news/f1-2025-abu...nce-transcript


Max Verstappen admits to needing ‘help or luck’ to win F1 title despite Abu Dhabi GP pole
06.12.25
Jack Oliver Smith
Motorsport Week

Verstappen was thankful to team-mate Yuki Tsunoda, who, by making it into Q3, was able to sacrifice one lap to give him a tow to help him to pole. “But yeah, it was a good lap already with a little bit of help also of course from Yuki with the tow,” he said. “So that was very nice of him to give up one of his rides. And then in the second lap, I was not sure if I was going to improve just because of the tow that I got. But then again, I just found a little bit more lap time in the corners and that gave me a little bit more lap time. So happy with that, happy with the one lap performance at the end in qualifying. Now, of course, the big question mark is can we keep that up in the race?”

Verstappen, fully aware that his gap to Norris will make it extremely difficult to win the championship, admitted that some intervention and good fortune will be perhaps the only key to success. “Of course, I’m excited and looking forward to it. I’m going to try to win that race,” he said. “But of course, with that, I still need a little bit of help or luck to win the championship. But we’ll see how that goes tomorrow.”

Asked if he will agonise over the various permutations needed to win the title, Verstappen was nonplussed on the subject. “No, we’ll figure it out tomorrow. Not tonight. It’s like talking about strategy,” he said. “You can talk about it for one hour, two hours. And then after one lap, you throw it in the bin. A lot that can go well for you, can go against you. We’ll find out tomorrow.”

‘Help or luck’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/...dhabi-gp-pole/


Norris ‘disappointed’ to miss out on pole in Abu Dhabi as he explains approach to title-decider
Championship leader Lando Norris will line up in second place for Sunday's decisive Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with the Briton conceding that he was "not fast enough" to outpace title rival Max Verstappen for pole position.
06.12.25
Formula One - Official Site

Lando Norris admitted that he was “disappointed” to not take pole position for the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but the Briton vowed to try to win as he looks to claim a maiden World Championship.

After setting the pace in both of Friday’s practice sessions, Norris did not top the timesheets during any of Saturday’s Qualifying segments, with McLaren team mate Oscar Piastri and Mercedes’ George Russell going quickest in Q1 and Q2 respectively.

Max Verstappen then beat the rest of the pack in Q3, the Red Bull driver clinching pole thanks to his effort of 1m 22.207s. Norris proved to be his closest challenger, but at 0.201s adrift could not beat the Dutchman, meaning that the championship leader will line up in second on the grid.

‘Norris disappointed’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...nuqnYslVOkmPwM


Martin Brundle concerned by Lando Norris’ hand movements in Abu Dhabi Grand Prix cockpit
6 December 2025
Ashley Hambly
F1 Oversteer

Martin Brundle has voiced his concerns over Lando Norris’ driving style during qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after Max Verstappen secured pole for the final race of the season. So far, Norris is playing into the prophecy set by Mathias Lauda. The son of the late and great Niki Lauda voiced his opinion that the championship leader should just focus on finishing within the top-three positions rather than gunning for the race lead.

Martin Brundle shares his concerns over Lando Norris’ driving style during Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying. During Sky Sports F1’s coverage of the final qualifying session of the season in Abu Dhabi, Martin Brundle highlighted how Norris had seemingly changed his driving style between the final free practice session and qualifying.
The former F1 driver turned pundit said, “He’s not had that lovely, fluid driving style that we’ve seen in the free practices, Lando. There’s something a bit edgy and a bit tight about the way Lando’s driving. He needs to calm those hands down for his final attempt.”

“Something a bit edgy and a bit tight about the way Lando’s driving”;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/mar...-prix-cockpit/


Norris denies Abu Dhabi GP title fight jitters after crucial pole missed
6 Dec 2025
Norberto Mujica
GPblog.com

Lando Norris will start the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in P2 behind main championship rival Max Verstappen on pole. A fragile mentality is something various F1 pundits and analysts have argued afflicts the leader in the Standings, which might have been the reason for his drop in form at Doha, at could play out again tomorrow during the race that will ultimately see a world champion crowned.

"I mean, it feels a bit different, but just because it's the final race of the year, not because of anything else," Norris said after qualifying. "And I felt pretty normal into Sunday last week. I didn't really have the expectation that I was going to get the championship because I started P3 [He started the race in Qatar in P2] and didn't really expect it."

Norris is "ready to go" into decisive battle for the title. Norris then dismissed any talk of pre-championship nervousness playing a role in missing his second title 'match point' tomorrow, and argued that he was eager to wrap up the season. "I felt good then, [and] I feel good now," the Bristol-born driver clarified. "I feel comfortable and ready to go. I feel like we have a good plan for things. Like Max said, you also just can't plan for everything. So, no, I feel good. I feel excited to get the final race done and then going on with it," Norris concluded.

‘Norris denies Abu Dhabi GP title fight jitters’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/norri...al-pole-missed


Winners and losers from Abu Dhabi GP F1 qualifying
Dec 6, 2025
The Race

Winner - Max Verstappen (1st)
Loser - Oscar Piastri (3rd)
Winner - Lando Norris (2nd)
Loser - Lewis Hamilton (16th)

Winner - Fernando Alonso (6th)
Winner - Esteban Ocon (8th)
Loser - Kimi Antonelli (14th)

Winner - Gabriel Bortoleto (7th)
Loser - Alpine (19th and 20th)
Loser - Nico Hulkenberg (18th)

‘Winners and losers’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/w...f1-qualifying/

[Fortitude]

Norris takes 2025 F1 title as Verstappen wins Abu Dhabi GP.
Verstappen did all he could, but it was Norris who secured the F1 2025 title.
December 7, 2025
Pablo Elizalde
Motor Sport Magazine

Lando Norris secured his first Formula 1 title with third place in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a race dominated by Max Verstappen. Norris lost second place to team-mate Oscar Piastri on the opening lap and spent his day mainly defending from the threat of Charles Leclerc‘s Ferrari. The British driver managed to keep his rival at bay by following Ferrari’s two-stop strategy, crossing the finish line in third and becoming the 2025 world champion.

Norris is the first McLaren world champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2008. Verstappen took his seventh win of the season in commanding fashion, but fell three points short of the title as not enough rivals separated him from Norris.

Piastri, who also had an outside chance in the championship race, finished second behind Verstappen. Leclerc’s challenge to Norris eventually evaporated, the Ferrari driver having to second for fourth ahead of George Russell, who finished a very distant fifth in the top Mercedes.

‘Lando Norris first McLaren world champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2008’;

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a.../?nowprocket=1


2025 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Race Results
Lando Norris seals the 2025 F1 title by holding onto a crucial third place at Yas Marina despite Max Verstappen winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
7 December 2025
John Smith
Total Motorsport

F1 Abu Dhabi GP 2025 race results
Check out the full Abu Dhabi GP 2025 race results from Yas Marina below.
Pos Driver Team Time
1 Max Verstappen Red Bull Leader
2 Oscar Piastri McLaren +12.594
3 Lando Norris McLaren +16.572
4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari +23.279
5 George Russell Mercedes +48.563
6 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +67.562
7 Esteban Ocon Haas +69.876
8 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari +72.670
9 Lance Stroll Aston Martin +74.523
10 Oliver Bearman Haas +76.166

‘Race results’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/202...-race-results/


Max Verstappen wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Lando Norris becomes 2025 Formula 1 champion
7 December 2025
Shay Rogers
F1 Oversteer

Verstappen got the start he needed and held both McLaren drivers off into turn one, before a surprise move towards the end of lap one from Piastri on harder tyres caught Norris napping, promoting him to second. The gaps remained fairly stagnant until the first set of pit stops, when McLaren brought Norris in to cover George Russell and Charles Leclerc.

He fought his way through traffic before crucially coming up against Yuki Tsunoda in the Red Bull. He finally got past him on lap 24, despite being off the track, but still had a Ferrari breathing down his neck. After staying out, Piastri would have to push his planned first stop of the race back when Norris had to pit to cover his rivals for a second time.

The Aussie rejoined in second, with a clear margin to his teammate, but more than a pit stop behind Verstappen out front. The running order would remain the same until the end, with Verstappen refusing to back the pack up, rolling to a 71st career victory. Norris didn’t have it easy, pushing right to the end, holding on to third place, not far ahead of Leclerc in the Ferrari.

‘Lando Norris becomes 2025 Formula 1 champion’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/max...la-1-champion/


Lando Norris wins 2025 F1 Drivers’ Championship despite Max Verstappen winning Abu Dhabi GP
Lando Norris clinches a dramatic first Formula 1 World Championship after a tense Abu Dhabi GP showdown with Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri
7 December 2025
Euan Burns
Total Motorsport

McLaren‘s Lando Norris won his first Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with a P3 finish around Yas Marina. That was enough to take the championship by just two points, despite rivals Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri finishing P1 and P2 respectively.

Verstappen made an aggressive move to the inside at the start in order to cover Norris, and the front three got through the first half of the lap with no incident. At Turn 9, though, Piastri made a stunning move on his teammate and moved up to P2, despite being on the hard tyre. Norris knew that P3 would still be enough for the championship, but it left him at more risk of falling further back.

All sorts of scenarios were being discussed by the McLaren pit wall, primarily focused on potential safety cars and how they would stack up against Leclerc on a restart. The laps just kept ticking by, though, and there was no nasty surprise for McLaren and Norris, who became the 35th different driver to win the Drivers’ Championship.

‘Lando Norris clinches a dramatic first Formula 1 World Championship’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/lan...-abu-dhabi-gp/


Oscar Piastri cheekily quizzes Max Verstappen over F1 finale tactics
Oscar Piastri questioned Max Verstappen's tactics in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
07 Dec 2025
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net

After the race, the Australian cheekily questioned Verstappen’s approach to the race. There had been suggestions that Verstappen would try and replicate the tactics used by Lewis Hamilton in 2016 when he tried to back up title rival Nico Rosberg into the chasing pack.

But Verstappen did not deploy such tactics and instead sealed a dominant win. “Didn't want to back everyone up?” Piastri asked Verstappen in the cool down room. Four-time world champion Verstappen replied: "When I heard the top 16 were still in the pit window, I thought that wasn't too bad."

“Didn't want to back everyone up?”;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/108807...finale-tactics


Lando Norris takes Formula One title despite Max Verstappen win in finale
British driver finishes third at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to take championship by two points
Dec 07 2025
Giles Richards
Irish Times

Lando NorrisLando Norris has won his first Formula One world championship with a gutsy, nerveless drive of no little bravery to seal it with third place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. A podium was enough for the 26-year-old British driver despite Red Bull’s Max Verstappen winning and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri taking second. Norris did exactly what was required of him in an enormously intense and high-pressure contest at the Yas Marina Circuit, including making a series of bold overtakes, with a flawless execution by himself and by his McLaren team.

In taking his first world championship he becomes the 11th British driver to do so and it brings to an end McLaren’s drivers’ championship drought, which stretched back to 2008, when Lewis Hamilton last won it for the team. It had been 27 years since McLaren last secured the drivers’ and constructors’ double in 1998, with Mika Häkkinen.

It marks a remarkable turnaround for the team, since a nadir in the mid-2010s when they twice finished ninth in the constructors’ championship. The revival has been helmed by Zak Brown, the team principal, who joined in 2016, and most recently by Andrea Stella, who as team principal has delivered an operationally sharp outfit with a hugely competitive car.

‘Lando Norris takes Formula One title & championship by two points’;

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/202...win-in-finale/

[Fortitude]

Norris on first F1 title: I started to shake before finish.
“I felt calm until three corners to go. I started to shake a little bit. I got to think of all those incredible memories. Very quickly. And then I got to see the team.” Lando Norris.
December 07, 2025
Nate Saunders
TSN

YAS MARINA, Abu Dhabi -- Lando Norris said he started to shake in the final corners of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Englishman managed a tense race without putting a foot wrong, admitting the magnitude of the situation only hit him as he neared the chequered flag.
“I did feel calm,” Norris said on Sunday evening. “I felt calm until three corners to go. I started to shake a little bit. I got to think of all those incredible memories. Very quickly. And then I got to see the team. And I went over the line. And this is a moment that I’ll never forget.”

“I started to shake before finish”;

https://www.tsn.ca/motorsports/formu...h-n1-47236608/


Lando Norris' mum breaks down in tears as Lewis Hamilton congratulates F1 champ
Cisca Wauman gave an emotional Sky Sports interview after watching footage of Lewis Hamilton congratulating her son Lando Norris on his world championship triumph at Abu Dhabi
07 Dec 2025
DANIEL CLARK
Somerset Live

Cisca Wauman struggled to contain her emotions whilst speaking about her son Lando Norris securing the Formula One Drivers' Championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The McLaren driver came third in the desert race, which saw him edge out race winner Max Verstappen for the title by just two points. His Belgian mum then appeared before the Sky Sports cameras, where she was shown seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton - one of his childhood heroes - personally congratulating her son.

He's only the third British driver this century, following Hamilton and Jenson Button, and the eighth ever to lift the title. "That's special," Wauman remarked as she viewed footage of Hamilton, who subsequently declared himself "really, really happy" for Norris, congratulating her son in the media pen. Wauman, who repeatedly had to stop as she grappled with her tears of happiness, said: "I'm emotionally drained - so happy for McLaren and all the fans.”

“A lot of sacrifices - by the time he was eight, Lando and his brother Ollie were competing [in karting]. I feel like he missed a lot of childhood.", reports the Express. "The last few laps took ages! They were calling us down with 10 laps to go ... the race is not over. Anything could still happen! But we did it. I don't know what the plan is [for tonight]. Normally I just walk back to the hotel and I start reading my book, and I was planning on doing the same. I don't know what is happening!".

‘Lando Norris' mum breaks down in tears’;

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/sport...-down-10691529


Norris survives ferocious Verstappen comeback to claim F1 title
December 7, 2025
Jerome Pugmire
Washington Times

No Formula 1 driver puts pressure on his rivals quite like Max Verstappen. The Red Bull star did it to Lewis Hamilton in 2021, winning his first title on the last lap of the season and preventing Hamilton from clinching a record eighth F1 title. Verstappen came close to winning the title again this year, mounting an incredible late charge to crank up the pressure on Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Earlier in the season, the McLaren teammates were contesting the F1 title between themselves.

But Verstappen changed all that. Heading into Sunday’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, it had become a three-way battle. Verstappen did all he could. He won in Abu Dhabi from pole position for a third straight race win, a season-leading eighth and 71st of a stellar career. It was not quite enough to overtake Norris, who won his first F1 title by placing third in the race and ending up just two points ahead of Verstappen in the standings.

But it showed why Verstappen commands so much awe. “This Max guy is pretty hard to beat,” McLaren CEO Zak Brown told broadcaster Sky with a large dose of understatement. One race earlier, at the Qatar GP, Brown had jokingly compared Verstappen to a horror movie ghoul who keeps resurfacing. “He’s like that guy in a horror movie, that right as you think he’s not coming back, he’s back,” Brown said in a podcast interview before the Qatar race. “What an unbelievable talent he is. He never makes mistakes. He seizes every opportunity. We’ve never thought he was out.”

“This Max guy is pretty hard to beat”;

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news...back-claim-f1/


'You've driven insane this year' – Norris' fellow drivers congratulate him on his maiden title
Lando Norris became the 2025 champion in a nail-biting finale in Abu Dhabi.
07 Dec 2025
Formula One - Official Site

"I want to wish congratulations to Lando as he becomes World Champion. We’ve raced together for so long and he is more than deserving of the title. Hopefully we can do battle on track next year for the 2026 crown!" George Russell.
"Congratulations to Lando too," his Mercedes team mate Kimi Antonelli said. "He deserves it but also well done to both Max and Oscar Piastri who have also been brilliant this year. It was a great battle all year."

"Massive congratulations to @lando on his first Drivers’ Championship! He’s an incredible driver and he has proven that you can achieve your highest goals staying true to yourself! Congrats my muppet friend! Well deserved!" Carlos Sainz.
As the fireworks went off over the Yas Marina Circuit, Hamilton walked into Norris' post-race interview to say "I told you!" with a grin in a heartwarming moment, with both drivers now able to call themselves champions with McLaren.

"I think a very deserving winner," he said when asked to give his thoughts on Norris' achievement. "I know that every weekend I go on track, it’s going to be tough. And I think we’ve pushed each other through the last three years.” Oscar Piastri.
Max Verstappen congratulated Norris immediately after the race in Abu Dhabi

'You've driven insane this year';

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...j8UI3Y3UPzQAi4


Lando Norris Clinches Historic F1 Championship: How Sporting World Celebrated His Success
Lando Norris won his first Formula 1 World Championship in Abu Dhabi, earning praise from rivals like Max Verstappen and legends including Lewis Hamilton.
Dec 08, 2025
NDTV Sports Desk

Max Verstappen, the man who was competing with Norris for the top spot in the drivers' championship, was among the first ones to congratulate the 26-year-old.
"Unbelievably proud," Verstappen wrote on social media. "We never gave up and kept pushing until the very end... @lando congratulations on your first championship. Well done mate."
Unbelievably proud We never gave up and kept pushing until the very end. Thank you @redbullracing, Honda and everyone for your support along the way!!!@LandoNorris congratulations on your first championship. Well done mate pic.twitter.com/bASx4nhvMU
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) December 7, 2025

The final race was a testament to the respect forged in intense competition. F1 legend Lewis Hamilton, himself a multiple world champion, struggled to hide his joy, especially upon seeing a fellow drive from the United Kingdom topping the drivers' charts.
"I'm really, really happy for Lando. Winning your first world title is truly special. The UK continues to pump out great drivers," he said.

Even the tennis world stopped and took notice of what happened in Abu Dhabi as wishes poured in. The legendary Novak Djokovic, a man familiar with the pinnacle of sporting success, posted on Instagram: "Congratulations Lando What a season! You are a World champion @lando."
Djokovic, who was present at an F1 Sprint Race earlier in the season, showed that he is truly a Formula 1 follower.
The 2025 Australian Open and Wimbledon winner, Jannik Sinner, was present in Abu Dhabi for the final race. Sinner, a known F1 enthusiast, witnessed the historic moment live, at the circuit.
"What a day Incredible to watch," he shared, "Huge congrats @lando on your first F1 World Championship ."
Spain's young star, Carlos Alcaraz, added his concise but powerful endorsement: " Many congrats @lando!"

‘How Sporting World Celebrated His Success’;

https://sports.ndtv.com/formula-1/la...uccess-9769115


FIA post-race press conference – Abu Dhabi
The top three chat to the press after the final race of the season.
7 Dec 2025
Formula One - Official Site

TRACK INTERVIEWS
(Conducted by David Coulthard)
Q: Lando Norris, you are a world champion! The world champion!
Lando NORRIS: The world champion. Oh, God. I've not cried in a while. I didn't think I would cry, but I did. It's a long journey. First of all, I want to say a big thanks to my guys, everyone in McLaren, my parents. I'm not crying. My mom, my dad, you know, they're the ones who supported me since the beginning. Oh, I look like a loser!
Q: You look like a winner to me. You're only the 35th man to win a Formula 1 world championship. This is the biggest prize in motor sport.

‘FIA post-race press conference’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...L8IE8nXvPGiLiM

[Fortitude]

Was 2025 Oscar Piastri’s best chance at an F1 title or a prelude to future glory?
Oscar Piastri let slip a big lead in this year’s F1 title race but has vowed to learn some lessons for next season.
9 Dec 2025
Jack Snape
Yahoo! Sport

Tumbling from the Formula One precipice, ultimately Oscar Piastri was not the first Australian in 40 years to be crowned world champion. The man from Melbourne finished a narrow third in the driver standings this year behind his McLaren teammate Lando Norris and four-time champion Max Verstappen. Now, he is back to square one.
Midway through the season Piastri lead Norris by a comfortable 34 points and Verstappen by a chasm. But a run of six rounds without a podium left him on the outside looking in, and by the end at Abu Dhabi he finished 13 points behind his teammate.

The slender margin makes it tempting to find where those points might have been lost. McLaren’s order to switch positions in Monza cost the Australian six points in the battle with his teammate. The decision not to pit Piastri in Qatar during a safety car? Probably even more. Across a long season however, the Australian was responsible for his spin in Melbourne, and his accident in Azerbaijan. McLaren chief executive Zak Brown may be hard to like, but he is also hard to blame. On one hand, that means Piastri might not get a better chance to win a championship. He fumbled the title from the cockpit of the fastest car, with a 34-point lead on his nearest rival in the second half of a season.

Verstappen, racing for a new-look Red Bull team, now without long-time advisor Helmut Marko, will lead a field sure to improve. On the other, McLaren with all their resources and technical wherewithal are unlikely to become terrible overnight. Piastri is still one of Formula One’s younger drivers, and will be well-placed to adapt to the modified cars. In the time since Norris has been at McLaren, Piastri has driven for Alpine and in other classes, winning F3 and F2 championships.

‘Piastri’s best chance at F1 title or a prelude to future glory’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/hel...iver-decision/


Oscar Piastri vows F1 title hasn’t made Lando Norris ‘Superman’
8 Dec 2025
Taylor Powling
Motorsport Week

Oscar Piastri has denied that the situation at McLaren could change with Lando Norris’ title win in Formula 1, quipping that his team-mate hasn’t “become Superman”.

Asked if he suspects the dynamic at McLaren could change, Piastri told media including Motorsport Week: “No, I don’t think so. I don’t think that will change anything. “For me, he’s obviously had a great season this year and a deserving champion, but he’s still Lando Norris. It’s not like he’s become Superman.”

“So, I don’t think things will change with that. I’m expecting full fairness from the team and equality going forward. I don’t have any concerns that that will change at all. Clearly, Lando’s had a very strong season this year, and ultimately did a better job.”

‘Lando Norris hasn’t become Superman’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/...rris-superman/


McLaren boss cuts in on Piastri's engineer team radio after Norris title win
9 Dec 2025
Samson Ero
GPblog.com

A moment involving McLaren CEO Zak Brown interrupting Oscar Piastri’s post-race radio has drawn attention following Lando Norris’ title triumph. The McLaren team boss appeared to cut into the exchange between Piastri and his race engineer, Tom Stallard, moments after the chequered flag at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The British engineer, who was speaking to the 24-year-old upon the chequered flag at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, witnessed his conversation cut short as Brown jumped in with his own celebration.
Great job, Oscar. Obviously, that means Lando is world champion,” Stallard said.
“Oscar, what a season. What a season. You're a star, seven wins. We love you. We'll do it again next year. Thank you, Oscar, for everything you've done. What a year,” Brown interjected.

Stallard subsequently resumed his message, adding: “Well done to you, Oscar, as well. I mean, to be honest, where we were last year, the season you put together is pretty impressive. So when we go away, there are a few wounds to lick.”
However, Brown would again cut into their conversation to add: “Oscar, very proud of you. Awesome. What a team player. We're going to get it next year. See you at the podium.”

‘McLaren boss cuts in’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/brown...ter-norris-win


Furious fans unleash over two words Oscar Piastri's team boss used after the Aussie's F1 championship dream was shattered
8 Dec 2025
SHAYNE BUGDEN, SPORTS EDITOR, AUSTRALIA
MailOnline

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has been blasted by fans and a former F1 world champion for his message to Oscar Piastri just after the Aussie's title dream was crushed at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, two words in his message set fans off, and former champion Nico Rosberg accused the American of lacking empathy. 'What a season! What a season!' Brown began as Oscar was driving back to the pits after the final lap. 'You're a star. Seven wins. We love you. We'll do it again next year. Thank you Oscar for everything you've done. What a year. Oscar, very proud of you. Awesome. What a team player.'

The choice of the words 'team player' set off fans who have accused the team of breaking their promise to let Piastri and Norris race freely and without favouritism under McLaren's 'papaya rules'.
'Shafting Oscar all the way to the end,' one wrote on X.
'Stepping over his radio guy and sounding so full of s**t,' another said.
'I do not understand how Zak Brown and [team principal] Andrea Stella will be able to look Oscar in the eyes next season. Seriously disgraceful,' a third commented.
'1 grand slam, 6 poles, 7 wins, 13 podiums. all reduced down to “what a team player”. zak brown i wish you nothing but the worst,' another angry fan added.

Rosberg reacted to Brown's words by accusing him of being callous. 'That's his [Piastri's] most horrible moment in his racing career,' the 2016 drivers' champion said in commentary. Maybe Zak could have had a little more empathy there, rather than celebrating. He could have said "next year will be your year" but it's difficult for Zak because he's so ecstatic at the same time.'

‘Furious fans unleash’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...x-McLaren.html


Martin Brundle and Nico Rosberg admit they got one thing wrong about Oscar Piastri in 2025
7 Dec 2025
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Martin Brundle admits he ‘misread’ Oscar Piastri’s calmness during the 2025 F1 season. Brundle was previewing the race in Abu Dhabi for Sky Sports F1 (7/12 11:28 am), and while discussing Piastri, he said: “What we have to remember is he has 82 races less experience than Lando Norris. That’s three and a half seasons. Imagine how much Lando’s improved in the last three and a half seasons”.

“So, he is a future world champion. I have no doubt about that, Oscar Piastri. He’s had a couple of brutal penalties this year that have cost him dearly, at Silverstone, and of course, in Brazil as well. But I think we might misread him a little bit as well. I thought when he sort of went on the missing list a little bit for six races, didn’t he? Threw it in the wall in Baku had lost his head a little bit, and just generally, he basically. He’s not absolutely stone cold horizontal. I think he soaks a little bit as well. We misread him.”

Rosberg added: “I mean, mentally, he is so strong. I would consider him one of the strongest out there. He’s just so level-headed. It’s the same pizza in the evening, whether he wins the race or finishes fourth with the same crowd. Lando was also saying throughout this weekend that if there was one thing he’s jealous of Oscar for, then it would be Oscar’s level-headedness, and his mental approach and being so balanced.”

‘Mentally strong’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/mar...astri-in-2025/


Juan Pablo Montoya thinks Oscar Piastri will ask one ‘big question’ after Lando Norris wins 2025 title
9 Dec 2025
Tyler Rowlinson
F1 Oversteer

Juan Pablo Montoya thinks Oscar Piastri will wonder if McLaren will change after Lando Norris becomes champion. McLaren have reiterated throughout 2025 that their drivers are equal and that they keep things fair between them. However, Piastri’s camp think they have ‘come off worse’ far too often at McLaren this season.

Team orders in Monza and Singapore left a sour taste in Piastri’s mouth, and Juan Pablo Montoya thinks he will ask a ‘big question’ at McLaren in 2026. He will wonder if things will change within the team, especially now that Norris will bear the number one on his car next year. Montoya said via F1 TV: “It’s hard. I think what Oscar said, at least he finished on a higher note, like he found the pace, he found the speed, he found everything he needed.”

“The big question for him in his mind is, next year, can I beat Lando again? Is the team going to change? Is anything going to change in the team because Lando is world champion? “And not only in Oscar but everybody in his camp, people are going to be wondering, do we need to stay, do we need to go? There’s going to be a lot of questions.”

‘Big question’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/jua...ns-2025-title/

[Fortitude]

Dr. Helmut Marko decides to leave Red Bull.
After more than 20 years as Red Bull's motorsport advisor, Dr. Helmut Marko has decided to step down at the end of 2025.
9 December 2025
Niels Hendrix
Verstappen.nl

Helmut Marko, said: “I have been involved in motorsport for six decades now, and the past 20-plus years at Red Bull have been an extraordinary and extremely successful journey. It has been a wonderful time that I have been able to help shape and share with so many talented people. Everything we have built and achieved together fills me with pride. Narrowly missing out on the world championship this season has moved me deeply and made it clear to me that now is the right moment for me personally to end this very long, intense, and successful chapter. I wish the entire team continued success and am convinced that they will be fighting for both world championship titles again next year.”

Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO corporate projects and investments Red Bull, said: “Helmut approached me with the wish to end his role as motorsport advisor at the end of the year. I deeply regret his decision, as he has been an influential figure for more than two decades, and his departure marks the end of an extraordinary era. After a long and intensive conversation, I knew I had to respect his wishes, as I gained the impression that the timing felt right for him to take this step. Even though his departure will leave a significant gap, our respect for his decision and our gratitude for everything he has done for Red Bull Racing outweigh it. Helmut Marko will be deeply missed, both personally and professionally. We wish him all the very best for the future and hope that he will remain closely and warmly connected to the team.”

“Now is the right moment for me”;

https://news.verstappen.com/en/article/6050/


What's really behind Marko's sudden Red Bull exit
Dec 9, 2025
Scott Mitchell-Malm
The Race

Helmut Marko will leave Red Bull at the end of 2025, ending a run of more than 20 years as the Formula 1 team’s motorsport advisor. The move has been framed as Marko’s decision “to step down” but his exit is understood to have a complicated backstory. Significant clashes included Marko making derogatory remarks about then-Red Bull driver Sergio Perez being Mexican in late 2023, a fallout over a failed attempt to oust Marko in early 2024 that Verstappen publicly criticised, and lately Marko sparking significant abuse of Kimi Antonelli for comments made after the Qatar Grand Prix.

Reports in the Netherlands also suggested that Marko has made questionable junior driver decisions this year that Red Bull disagreed with and had to intervene on to overturn. This is believed to relate to whether ex-McLaren junior Alex Dunne would join the programme or not. Despite the claims in Red Bull's release, Marko's exit is no surprise given relations seemed to have cooled significantly and it was understood that both Mintzlaff and Red Bull shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya were in agreement after the Abu Dhabi finale that he should be removed.

It is understood that his exit was agreed upon and communicated across Sunday evening and then Monday, ahead of Tuesday's announcement. What is less clear, though, is what this means for Verstappen. The four-time world champion was a staunch defender of Marko – who gave Verstappen an F1 seat at Toro Rosso straight out of Formula 3 in 2015, which fostered an intense loyalty to each other.

‘Complicated backstory’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/w...red-bull-exit/


Red Bull’s Silent Coup: Helmut Marko Ousted
December 9, 2025
Alex Albuquerque
FastestLap.com

For years Helmut Marko was the unfiltered voice and roaming enforcer of the old regime: a director at Red Bull Racing, a talent spotter with a fearsome hit rate, and the man who could swing a junior driver’s career with a phone call. But power at Milton Keynes shifted after Mateschitz’s death in 2022. Oliver Mintzlaff moved into a top role at Red Bull GmbH, and the guard changed again this season when Christian Horner was removed from his positions, with Laurent Mekies elevated to run Red Bull Racing after his stint heading Racing Bulls. Marko survived that first storm. It appears he didn’t survive the second.

The flashpoints have been building. Marko has always spoken on his own terms, often dropping sensitive tidbits into the media stream with little sign-off. That autonomy was largely tolerated in the Horner years. Not anymore. Under Mintzlaff and Mekies, the leash tightened, and Marko’s independent streak became a liability rather than an asset. One episode in particular jarred. As reported elsewhere this week, Marko struck a deal on his own to bring Irish youngster Alex Dunne into the Red Bull programme — with no input from Mekies or Mintzlaff. When that contract was subsequently terminated, a penalty clause is said to have been triggered, leaving Red Bull on the hook for a six-figure sum that could now end up underwriting parts of Dunne’s 2026 F2 campaign with Rodin, along with his exit from McLaren’s junior ranks. For the current leadership, it was a flashing red line: unilateral decisions, corporate bills.

The temperature rose further around Singapore, where Chalerm Yoovidhya — who represents the powerful Thai shareholding in Red Bull — was understood to be unimpressed with aspects of Marko’s behaviour in the paddock. The final straw, sources say, arrived in Qatar. On live television, Marko suggested that 18-year-old Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli had effectively opened the door for Lando Norris late in the Grand Prix. Antonelli was already dealing with a wave of social media bile; the insinuation poured petrol on it. An apology followed from the team, with Mekies personally involved. Bridges don’t burn easily at Red Bull, but that one was well alight.

‘Silent Coup’;

https://fastestlap.com/news/red-bull...-marko-ousted/


Red Bull are about to pay the price for the big mistake Helmut Marko made just before his exit
9 December 2025
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

Helmut Marko has rushed Arvid Lindblad into an F1 seat. Few within Red Bull would have had any qualms about Hadjar’s promotion given his scintillating form at Racing Bulls and Tsunoda’s bleak results. There was more resistance, however, to the idea of promoting Lindblad. Some at Red Bull doubt that Lindblad is ready for F1, which isn’t a slight on the Briton given that he only turned 18 in August. He only stepped up from karting in 2022.

Juan Pablo Montoya, whose son Sebastian also races in F2, shared the same concerns but said Marko was fast-tracking Lindblad ‘by force’. F2 insiders think Lindblad needed a second year in the series to address the weaknesses he displayed in 2025. He only scored two podiums in the last 16 races of the campaign. Laurent Mekies didn’t want to rush Lindblad but Marko’s opinion clearly held sway. Now Red Bull could pay the price.

‘Marko was fast-tracking Lindblad by force’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/red...fore-his-exit/


Helmut Marko's Red Bull exit fuelled by 'recent antics' - report
Helmut Marko appears to be heading for the exit door at Red Bull - is this the reason why?
9 Dec 2025
RacingNews365 Staff
RacingNews365

De Limburger report states that Marko signed Lindblad on his own initiative, which was not completely aligned with other members of the Red Bull management team. Even more strikingly, however, De Limburger reports that Marko also signed a contract with Alex Dunne. “Marko knew that it had already been decided by shareholders, team boss Laurent Mekies and sporting director Mintzlaff that Dunne would not be an option for the junior program. Without anyone knowing it, Marko signed the Irishman anyway," the report reads.

It was a situation that did not go down well inside Red Bull, and Marko was immediately instructed to terminate the contract. Dunne, who left the McLaren F1 programme earlier this year, was never presented as a new Red Bull junior - and the team reportedly had to fork out a significant fee to get out of the contract.

The Austrian was in the spotlight once again after the Qatar Grand Prix after accusing Kimi Antonelli of deliberately handing over position to Lando Norris amid a tense title fight. Antonelli lost momentum through a mistake, gifting a crucial two points to Norris.

'Recent antics';

https://racingnews365.com/helmut-mar...nings---report


Verstappen's first reaction after Marko officially departs Red Bull
9 Dec 2025
Olly Darcy
GPblog.com

Max Verstappen said he is "forever grateful" for Helmut Marko and his "belief" in the Dutchman as the Austrian is set to depart Red Bull. Along with Sebastian Vettel, Verstappen became the second four-time World Champion to come out of the Young Driver Program, and there was plenty of praise from the 28-year-old towards Marko.

"Thank you, Helmut," the Dutchman started by saying in a post on Instagram regarding the news of Marko's departure. "We’ve achieved everything we ever dreamed of together. I’m forever grateful for your belief in me."

‘Verstappen's first reaction’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/verst...parts-red-bull