Norris steps up as a fresh champion for Formula Ones new era

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Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 7, 2025 McLarens Lando Norris celebrates with his team after becoming the 2025 Formula One World Champion REUTERS/Amr Alfiky

LONDON, Dec 17 - Lando Norris stepped up as a first-time world champion in 2025 to end Max Verstappens four-year reign and lead Formula One into a new era.

Whether the McLaren driver can do it again remains a big question.

The title did not come easy to the 26-year-old as he made a dream come true in a rollercoaster season of highs and lows, the ‍wins accompanied also ​by mistakes and misfortune in a three-way battle.

Even as the Briton celebrated beating Red Bulls Verstappen by two points, ‍and Australian teammate Oscar Piastri by 13, Norris recognised it could be a one-off.

Formula One, set to expand to 11 teams with the arrival of Cadillac, is facing a major reset next year with a new ​generation of engines and ​the biggest technical upheaval in decades.

The usual suspects are likely to stay competitive but nobody really knows who will be ahead in 2026.

MCLARENS FIRST TITLE DOUBLE SINCE 1998

It could be my only opportunity in my life that I get to do such a thing, Norris said of putting the champions number one on his car next season.

I have a lot ‍of faith in my team