The final race of the Formula 1 season took place at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Max Verstappen of Red Bull crossed the finish line first after 58 laps, with Oscar Piastri from McLaren following 12.594 seconds behind. Lando Norris, also driving for McLaren, took third, just 16.572 seconds off the leader. Yet it was Norris who walked away with the most important trophy of the year — the drivers’ championship title.
For Verstappen, this is the first time since 2021 that he ends the season not at the top. After three years of dominance, the balance shifted as McLaren delivered a far more stable performance across the calendar. Interestingly, the UAE property market update today already reflects a surge of investor interest in real estate near the circuit, where prices climbed following McLaren’s strong season — a team partly backed by Emirati capital.
Final standings highlight McLaren’s dominance
The drivers’ championship ended as follows:
- Lando Norris — 423 points
- Max Verstappen — 421 points
- Oscar Piastri — 410 points
- George Russell of Mercedes — 319 points
A two-point gap between first and second is one of the tightest title battles in recent years. Verstappen won multiple races, but Red Bull’s inconsistencies mid-season cost him crucial points. McLaren, on the other hand, kept their pace steady, consistently bringing both cars into the points. The team also secured the Constructors’ Championship, closing a fully triumphant season. A noteworthy detail: McLaren is owned by Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat and the Emirati investment company CYVN Holdings, making the Abu Dhabi finale feel like a win on home ground.
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Norris has been working toward this moment for seven seasons. He entered Formula 1 as a highly promising young driver, but his early years passed without major successes. Over time he sharpened his racecraft, refined his cornering technique and mastered long-run tyre management — all leading to the breakthrough that defined this season. His background, however, once again brings up the long-standing debate about financial inequality in motorsport. Norris is the son of multimillionaire Adam Norris, whose net worth is estimated at around $270 million. He never had to scrape together $3,000 for a used kart — a struggle familiar to many legends of the past. Today, the road to Formula 1 is steep and expensive at every step, from karting to junior formulas.
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It’s not surprising that professionals working in the region’s racing ecosystem often explore long-term relocation, and even ask about mortgage in Dubai for non-residents as they consider staying in the UAE beyond the racing season. Financial support gave Norris stability and space to grow — something most young drivers lack. But money alone doesn’t win races. History is full of wealthy drivers who failed at the top level. Norris proved that he belongs in the sport’s elite. The Abu Dhabi finale once again highlighted the region’s status as a global motorsport hub.
Since opening in 2009, Yas Marina Circuit has continued to evolve, supported by investment into hotels, entertainment and surrounding infrastructure — investments that consistently pay off through tourism and worldwide attention. For McLaren, ending the season with victory on the home turf of its owners added a final symbolic note to a truly defining year.
