Lando Norris is the world champion. Honestly, if you’d said that back in February, most people would’ve told you to settle down. But after that wild night under the lights at the Yas Marina Circuit, it’s official. The 2025 formula one race results gave us a finish so tight it basically felt like a fever dream for anyone who’s followed the sport through the years of Max Verstappen’s total dominance. Two points. That was the gap.
It wasn't just about the points, though. The 2025 season was a massive, sprawling mess of technical disqualifications, rookie brilliance, and a McLaren team that finally remembered how to win consistently. We saw 24 races that spanned the entire globe, starting in the rain of Melbourne and ending in the desert of Abu Dhabi. By the time the dust settled, Norris sat at 423 points, just barely nudging past Verstappen’s 421.
The Abu Dhabi Showdown and Those Final Standings
You've gotta feel for Max Verstappen in a way. He won the final race. He did exactly what he needed to do on that Sunday in Abu Dhabi, taking the checkered flag and looking every bit like the three-time (now former) defending champ. But because Lando Norris managed to hold onto third place, the math just didn't work out for Red Bull.
The podium in Abu Dhabi was a perfect microcosm of the year: Verstappen on top, followed by Oscar Piastri in second, and Norris in third. That third-place finish for Lando was the golden ticket. It was enough to secure his maiden title in his seventh season.
Basically, the top of the leaderboard looked like this:
- Lando Norris (McLaren): 423 points
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull): 421 points
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren): 410 points
- George Russell (Mercedes): 319 points
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): 242 points
It’s kinda wild to look at Oscar Piastri’s season too. He led the championship for 15 rounds. Think about that. For more than half the year, the young Aussie was the man to beat. But a few strategy calls and a bit of bad luck toward the end of the European leg saw him slip to third. Still, McLaren won the Constructors' Championship with a staggering 833 points. They absolutely cleared the field, with Mercedes trailing in second at 469 points and Red Bull slipping to third with 451.
Why the Vegas Disqualification Changed Everything
If you’re looking for the moment the title almost slipped through Lando’s fingers, you have to talk about Las Vegas. The formula one race results from that weekend were a total disaster for the papaya team. Both McLaren cars were disqualified.
Why? Excessive skid block wear.
The FIA stewards found that the planks under the cars had worn down past the legal limit, likely because McLaren was running the cars so low to the ground to find extra grip on the bumpy Vegas strip. It was a massive 10-point swing that allowed Verstappen to close a gap that, at one point, looked insurmountable. Before Vegas, Lando had a comfortable cushion. After the disqualification, the lead was cut to just 12 points heading into the final rounds.
It was a gut punch. You could see it on the faces in the garage. But it also set up the most dramatic season finale we've seen in fifteen years.
The Mid-Season Momentum Shifts
The early season was all about McLaren mastery. Norris won the opener in Australia, handling the rain like a veteran. Then Piastri took over in Shanghai and Bahrain, proving that he wasn't just a "number two" driver.
But then came Japan.
Max Verstappen ended a nine-month win drought at Suzuka, reminding everyone that the RB21 was still a beast in the right hands. That win was a turning point. It stopped the McLaren runaway and turned the season into a genuine three-way scrap.
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Key Race Winners in 2025:
- Australia: Lando Norris
- China: Oscar Piastri
- Japan: Max Verstappen
- Monaco: Lando Norris
- Great Britain: Lando Norris
- Las Vegas: Max Verstappen (following the McLaren DQs)
- Abu Dhabi: Max Verstappen
Silverstone was probably the emotional peak of the year. Lando winning his home race in front of 500,000 screaming fans was something else. It was a controlled, calm drive that signaled he was finally ready to handle the pressure of a title fight. While Max was struggling with tyre balance and Lewis Hamilton was fighting a car that just wouldn't cooperate, Lando was untouchable.
The Rookies and the "Old Guard" Struggles
We have to talk about the newcomers. Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes had a hell of a debut season, finishing 7th in the standings with 150 points. He even snagged a podium in Las Vegas, finishing 3rd behind Verstappen and Russell. It’s rare to see a rookie look that comfortable in a top-tier seat right out of the gate.
Then there’s the Ferrari situation. It was... rough. Lewis Hamilton’s first year in red didn't go quite as planned. He finished 6th overall with 156 points, but the season was plagued by weird Q1 exits and a car that seemed to have a mind of its own. He qualified 19th in Vegas—the worst of his career. Charles Leclerc fared better in 5th place, but Ferrari as a whole struggled with reliability and those pesky disqualifications (especially the double DQ in China).
Nico Hulkenberg provided one of the feel-good stories of the year. After 239 starts, he finally got his first podium at the British Grand Prix. The paddock practically erupted. It’s those kinds of moments that remind you F1 isn't just a bunch of numbers and aero packages; it’s a human sport.
Technical Drama: Cooling Kits and DRS
The 2025 season also saw the introduction of the driver cooling kits. After the scary heat issues we saw back in Qatar in '23, the FIA finally mandated these systems for "heat hazard" conditions (anything over 30.5°C). It added 5kg to the car's minimum weight, which teams complained about, obviously, but it was a necessary move for safety.
We also saw tighter rules on DRS. The FIA shrunk the allowable slot gap for the rear wing, trying to stop teams from finding "creative" ways to gain extra speed. These small technical shifts often explain why a team like Williams suddenly looked so much better. Alexander Albon and Carlos Sainz actually dragged that Williams into 5th in the Constructors' standings, which is a massive jump from where they were a few years ago.
Real-World Impact and Fan Growth
Formula One is basically exploding right now. The total attendance for 2025 hit 6.7 million people. That is a record. 19 out of the 24 races were completely sold out.
Interestingly, the demographic is shifting. About 42% of the fanbase is now female, and over half of the new fans are under 35. You can see it in the partnerships too—everything from LEGO to LVMH is getting in on the action. The sports movie starring Brad Pitt that came out in June probably helped with that quite a bit, even if some of the "hardcore" fans thought it was a bit cheesy.
What’s Next for F1 Fans?
If you're looking to dive deeper into the stats or prepare for the 2026 season, here’s how you should actually spend your time. Don't just look at the final points; look at the qualifying gaps. The gap between Norris and Verstappen in qualifying over the last six races was an average of just 0.084 seconds. That’s where the 2026 season will be won or lost.
Keep an eye on the Audi transition (currently Kick Sauber). They finished 9th this year with 70 points, but the investment is starting to show. Also, watch the driver market. With the 2026 engine regulations looming, teams are already starting to pivot their development.
The best way to stay ahead is to track the "race pace vs. qualifying pace" metrics. Often, a team like Ferrari has the one-lap speed but eats their tires during the race. Understanding that distinction is the difference between being a casual viewer and actually knowing why the formula one race results look the way they do. Keep your eyes on the pre-season testing times in Bahrain next month; they’ll tell you more about the 2026 pecking order than any headline will.