Honestly, if you’d told me in June that we’d be standing under the Abu Dhabi fireworks with a three-way title fight, I’d have called you crazy. But here we are. The f1 abu dhabi grand prix results are officially in, and they’ve basically rewritten the modern history of the sport. Lando Norris is the World Champion. It feels weird to even type that after years of Max Verstappen’s iron grip on the trophy, but the Brit actually did it. He finished third, which was just enough to hang on by his fingernails.
Two points. That is the entire margin that decided a nine-month, 23-race global odyssey. Max Verstappen did everything he possibly could by winning the race from pole, but it wasn't enough to stop the McLaren charge.
What really happened with the f1 abu dhabi grand prix results
The tension at the Yas Marina Circuit was so thick you could've cut it with a front wing endplate. Max Verstappen took the win—his eighth of the season—with a drive that reminded everyone why he's a four-time champ. He was metronomic. He was cold. But while Max was disappearing into the night, the real story was happening about fifteen seconds behind him.
Lando Norris started second, but his teammate Oscar Piastri—who was also mathematically in the hunt—sent a bold move down the inside on Lap 1. It was clean, but it dropped Norris to third. Suddenly, the math got scary. If Charles Leclerc, who was breathing down Lando’s neck in the Ferrari, had managed to get past, the title would have swung back to Max.
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The middle of the race was a total mess of strategy and nerves. Yuki Tsunoda, acting as the ultimate wingman for Verstappen in his final race for the main Red Bull team, made life a living hell for Norris. They went wheel-to-wheel on Lap 23, and Yuki squeezed him so hard the stewards actually handed out a five-second penalty for erratic driving. It was a desperate move, and for a second, it looked like Norris might pick up damage and throw the whole thing away.
The final standings and the podium drama
When the dust—or rather, the sparks—settled, the podium looked like this:
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
Oscar Piastri actually led a good chunk of the mid-race after an offset strategy on the hard tires, but once Verstappen got back past him on Lap 41, the order stayed static. Piastri finishes the season third in the standings, just 13 points back from his teammate. Think about that. McLaren let their drivers race all year, and it nearly cost them, but they’ve ended up with the Drivers' title and their second consecutive Constructors' Championship.
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Behind the leaders: Hamilton’s recovery and the midfield scrap
While the cameras were glued to the title fight, Lewis Hamilton was busy salvaging something from a miserable qualifying. He started P16. For a guy with seven titles, being stuck in the bottom five is usually a nightmare, but he drove the wheels off that Ferrari to finish P8. It confirms a pretty brutal stat, though: 2025 is his first-ever season without a single podium.
George Russell had a quiet, almost "invisible" race to fifth. Mercedes secured second in the Constructors’ regardless, beating Red Bull by 18 points. It’s a massive result for them, especially with Kimi Antonelli finishing a distant P15. The kid has pace, but Abu Dhabi showed he’s still got a lot of learning to do in high-pressure finales.
Why these results feel so different
The 2025 finale wasn't just about Lando. It was the end of an era. This was the last race for the current power units before the 2026 regulations kick in. It was also the final time we’ll see the "Sauber" name before they transition to Audi. Nico Hulkenberg finished 9th in his 250th race, a solid parting gift for the team.
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Key takeaways from the Yas Marina showdown
- Lando’s Maturity: He survived a mid-race investigation and a teammate overtake without losing his head.
- Red Bull's Resurgence: Verstappen’s late-season form was terrifying. If the season had two more races, he probably would've overtaken Lando.
- Ferrari’s Fade: Leclerc had the pace early on to mess with the McLarens but the SF-25 just didn't have the long-run legs on the hard compound.
- The Rookie Class: Ollie Bearman finished 12th for Haas. He’s been one of the most consistent performers this year, even if he missed out on points today.
Looking ahead to the 2026 shakeup
So, the f1 abu dhabi grand prix results are in the books. Lando Norris is the 35th different World Champion in F1 history. But don't expect the celebrations to last forever. The 2026 season is going to be a total "reset" button for the grid. New cars, new engines, and active aerodynamics are going to change everything we think we know about the pecking order.
If you're a McLaren fan, enjoy the "1" on the car while you can. Max Verstappen is already talking about "unfinished business," and with the way he drove today, nobody is betting against him for next year.
Next Steps for F1 Fans:
- Check out the full lap-by-lap telemetry on the F1 app to see exactly where Norris was losing time to Leclerc.
- Keep an eye on the post-season young driver tests in Abu Dhabi this week—this is where we'll see the first glimpses of the 2026 talent pool in action.
- Review the final prize money payouts; Alpine finishing last in the standings behind Sauber is going to have a massive impact on their 2026 development budget.
The 2025 season is over. See you in Melbourne.