Lando Norris survives FIA disqualification scare as F1 champion officially crowned

Lando Norris

Lando Norris survives FIA disqualification scare as F1 champion officially crowned

Lando Norris is the 2025 F1 world drivers' champion

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Monday 8 December 2025 20:42

Lando Norris fans can breathe a sigh of relief after the newly-crowned F1 champion passed all of the FIA’s checks after Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen did all he could to retain his drivers’ title crown at Yas Marina, securing pole position and winning the race, but in the end Norris snatched the championship away by two points.

All the Brit had to achieve was a podium, and he did exactly that, finishing third behind team-mate Oscar Piastri.

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Still this is F1, a sport not immune to last minute twists and surprises once the chequered flag is waved, and the FIA still needed to complete their post-race scrutineering.

Amongst a whole host of checks, the plank and skid wear was inspected on Norris’ car, alongside fellow top four finishers Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc.

Both McLarens were famously disqualified from the Las Vegas GP after the skidwear on Piastri and Norris’ cars were found to be below the minimum 9mm thickness, a ruling that ushered Verstappen back into the title fight.

The fears of Las Vegas lingered for McLaren, but according to the FIA technical delegate’s report: “All car weights and the items checked were found to be in conformity with the 2025 FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations.”

Thankfully for everyone involved, Pandora’s Box was not opened and Norris’ championship crown was not taken from him and balanced back atop Max Verstappen’s cranium.

F1 2025 title goes Norris’ way

Norris is now the 35th different F1 champion and the 11th British driver to add his name to the history books, ending McLaren’s 17-year drivers’ title drought.

Following the British driver’s emotional post-race celebrations, Norris spoke in length to the media about his maiden title victory and highlighted he was proud to do it his own way.

“I feel like I have just managed to win it the way I wanted to win it, which was not by being someone I’m not,” Norris said.

“Not trying to be as aggressive as Max or as forceful as other champions might have been in the past, I’m happy. I just won it my way – by being a fair driver, by trying to be an honest driver.

"At times, could I have been more aggressive and got off the brakes and had a few people over? I certainly could have done. Is that the way I want to go racing? Is that me? It’s not.”

F1 RESULTS: NEW champion crowned as Verstappen heroics not enough at Abu Dhabi GP

F1 McLaren FIA Lando Norris Abu Dhabi Grand Prix