Lando Norris entered the season as the anticipated leader and ultimately prevailed after an intense competition. Claiming his first championship proved challenging, given the fierce challenge from McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. His final victory reflected a driver who held composure and belief even when the title seemed elusive.
Contention for the championship involved three standout performers. Piastri delivered commanding wins but faltered in the closing stages, struggling on low-grip circuits and making critical errors. His consistency diminished when it mattered most.
Verstappen’s resurgence from 104 points adrift after August’s Dutch GP to a mere 10-point deficit by Abu Dhabi marked an impressive achievement, notable as one of his most resolute campaigns. Though he fell short, he reaffirmed his reputation as a relentless competitor.
Ultimately, Norris earned acclaim for recovering from a 34-point gap to Piastri following a mechanical failure at Zandvoort, where he was left distraught trackside. Trusting his skill, he produced strong performances to regain the lead. Despite McLaren’s struggles in Las Vegas and Qatar, Norris remained composed in Abu Dhabi. A maiden title is seldom straightforward, and this was secured through grit.
Leading Squad
McLaren’s commitment to equal treatment complicated their path to a first drivers’ crown since 2008 and their inaugural double since 1998. The team upheld a policy of internal competition under a complex strategy aimed at fairness. Situations like Piastri surrendering a position to Norris after a slow Monza pit stop fueled conspiracy theories, which CEO Zak Brown dismissed as baseless.
Refusing to designate a lead driver cost them an early title resolution, enabling Verstappen to rejoin the contest. Combined with Las Vegas’ double disqualification and a poor Qatar strategy, this approach nearly proved costly. Still, their car dominated for much of the season, only overtaken by Red Bull after McLaren halted upgrades. They secured the constructors’ title by Singapore with six races remaining. Beyond their driver policy, operations were largely smooth. Red Bull deserves acknowledgment for continuing car development to aid their 2026 project, which pressured McLaren late on.
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