Lando Norris proves to be worthy world champion
The season reached a dramatic conclusion.
Lando Norris (McLaren) was in tears, of excitement and emotion, after winning the world championship in Abu Dhabi.
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) won the race from Oscar Piastri (McLaren) by 13 seconds, with Norris, who finished third, closing in on his team mate as the race was ending and had to be told to slow down.
The McLaren ended the season not quite as dominant as they were earlier on and I think that Red Bull discovered their secret of being able to manage their ride height very close to the ground.
McLaren’s only disadvantage was the disqualification of both cars in one race after wearing their planks too thin.
It is the end of the ground effect rules as next year there will be completely new regulations governing the aerodynamics of the cars, mainly through fully adjustable front and rear wings (by the driver) without ground effects.
Besides this, there are many other rule changes such as a 50/50 share of battery and ICE power (ICE = internal combustion engine).
The cars will only be able to use sustainable fuel (biofuels etc) and also use a new type of solid state battery. This will develop a lot of new avenues for the motor industry.
Back to the race, Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) was the main driver to add some excitement to the race by pushing hard into fourth place.
He was chasing and threatening to catch Norris, which could have caused a different world championship result, but ran out of tyre grip towards the end.
In fifth place was George Russell (Mercedes) after a good drive but the surprise part of the field was a very racy Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) who finished sixth.
Esteban Ocon (Haas) also did a better job while the quick kid, Oliver Bearman, in the other Haas, only made it home this time in twelfth position.
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) recovered some of his pride by driving a worthy race into eighth place, from way back on the grid.
Nico Hulkenberg did well to finish ninth with Lance Stroll tenth, sandwiched between the second Kick Sauber of Gabriel Bortoletto.
This was the last race of the Kick Saubers as Audi takes their place after a buy out of their team for next year. Audi has also pinched two top engine men from Ferrari.
The closed season between December and March will be hectic with final frantic developments on the new cars for 2026.
Launch photos and testing will take place during January and February followed by racing again just three months away.
Those who don’t like the noise can enjoy a brief rest before the completely new field of cars make their debut.
DRIVERS
1 Lando Norris 423
2 Max Verstappen 421
3 Oscar Piastri 410
4 George Russell 319
5 Charles Leclerc
6 Lewis Hamilton 156
7 Kimi Antonelli 150
8 Alexander Albon 73
9 Carlos Sainz 64
10 Fernando Alonso 56
CONSTRUCTORS
1 McLaren 833
2 Mercedes 469
3 Red Bull 451
4 Ferrari 398
5 Williams 137
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