Abu Dhabi Grand Prix live: Lando Norris crowned champion as bizarre post-race scenes raise eyebrows

A new F1 champion has been crowned after a gruelling season but it was the awkward post-race scenes that raised more than a few eyebrows.

Lando Norris has been crowned the F1 world champion for the first time after claiming third place in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Brit needed just a podium finish to clinch the world title ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.

Verstappen and Piastri both had the lead for large chunks of the race, with the former world champion crossing the line ahead of the Aussie, with Norris back in third.

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It meant Norris won the title by just two points, with Verstappen’s late-season surge falling agonisingly short.

That margin is sure to be controversial, given Norris would have lost three points if Piastri had not allowed his teammate to pass him at Monza and also gained two points late in Qatar in questionable scenes.

Norris’s jubilation meant heartbreak for Piastri.

The Aussie led the world championship for longer than anyone else in 2025 and only gave up the lead with poor form after the European swing.

Lando Norris finished third but it was enough to see him crowned world champion. Image: Getty

After Piastri won the Dutch Grand Prix, he led the world title race by 34 points.

But he would not win another race and in the end finished third in the drivers’ championship.

In Abu Dhabi, Piastri started on the hard tyres while his rivals were on mediums.

He passed Norris on lap one to move into second, while Norris came under huge pressure.

Charles Leclerc was on his tail for much of the opening exchanges.

In the end, he was forced to pit into traffic to cover off Leclerc and George Russell behind him, keeping virtual third on the road, though losing time to Verstappen and Piastri.

He soon found his feet and began reeling off sizzling times as he managed the gap back to fourth.

Norris was involved in some drama when having to pass the second Red Bull of Yuki Tsunoda.

The incident was investigated, but he was cleared as he went on to finish on the podium and claim the title of world champion.

You can relive all the action below.

Originally published as Abu Dhabi Grand Prix live: Lando Norris crowned champion as bizarre post-race scenes raise eyebrows