Lando Norris delivered the race and the performance of his life at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, securing his first Formula One World Drivers’ Championship after finishing third under the Yas Marina lights. Entering the finale with a narrow 12-point advantage, Norris needed a top-three finish to stay ahead of Max Verstappen, even if the Red Bull driver won, and he executed the challenge with precision. Despite Verstappen claiming his third straight victory and Oscar Piastri finishing second in the Drivers’ standings, Norris held firm, sealing McLaren’s first Drivers’ Championship since Lewis Hamilton’s legendary 2008 win. His post-win images and videos set the internet ablaze. Not to miss, his moment with girlfriend, Magui Corceiro, that left fans cheering.
A Season Finale for the Ages
The title fight came down to a gripping three-way showdown among Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri, with every lap amplifying the drama. Early race jitters nearly threatened Norris’s position, but calm strategy, pace, and consistency kept him inside the crucial top three. Emotion poured through the team radio as Norris crossed the line — tears, cheers, and fireworks celebrating McLaren’s return to championship glory after a 17-year drought. Verstappen embraced his rival in a show of sportsmanship before Norris collapsed into his parents’ arms in a victorious, unforgettable moment.
Abu Dhabi GP: The Region’s Biggest Sporting Event
As Yas Marina Circuit prepared for the season’s dramatic conclusion, anticipation across Abu Dhabi reached record levels. With only 24 points separating the title contenders and 58 available over the final two races, the 2025 finale promised — and delivered — one of the most competitive championship battles in years. More than 192,000 spectators attended last year’s event, and organizers expected 2025 to surpass that figure, with fans traveling from over 105 countries.
A Mega-Event Built Over 12 Months
Ethara, the organizers behind the Grand Prix, mobilized more than 40,000 staff, contractors, volunteers, and specialists to bring the race week to life. Preparations included transforming Yas Island with fan zones, refreshed grandstands, and the iconic 5.28 km circuit ready to shine on global broadcast screens. Ethara CEO Saif Al Noaimi called the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix “the most anticipated weekend of the year,” promising more racing, more entertainment, and new fan experiences.
The “Super Bowl” of the Middle East
With its expanding entertainment lineup, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has evolved into the region’s Super Bowl-level spectacle, combining world-class motorsport with blockbuster performances. The 2025 Yasalam After-Race Concerts featured Benson Boone, Post Malone, Elyanna, Metallica, and Katy Perry, while after-parties will host Calvin Harris, Idris Elba, and Keinemusik. Ethara’s Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer, David Powell, described the event as “an entertainment powerhouse,” uniting concerts, celebrity culture, fashion, and racing into one unmissable weekend for global and regional audiences.
A Championship Decided Under the Lights
From Norris’s nerve-filled final laps to the roaring spectacle inside a fully transformed Yas Island, the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix delivered a season finale that will be remembered for years. Norris became the 11th British F1 champion, McLaren reclaimed the throne after nearly two decades, and Formula One once again proved why Abu Dhabi remains one of the sport’s most breathtaking stages.
