ROOKIES, VERSTAPPEN IMPRESS AS F1 BOOMS

Norris not the only winner as newbies and Red Bull star enhance reputations in 2025

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Mercedes Kimi Antonelli became the youngest pole-sitter in F1 history, while Red Bull's Max Verstappen ended the season with eight race wins.

(PHOTO: REUTERS)

son came to a tense end on Dec 7 with Lando Norris emerging victorious in the three-way title showdown in Abu Dhabi, and AFP Sports looks at the winners and losers.

WINNERS

• Norris

Lando Norris had been dreaming of winning the world championship since he was five and finally fulfilled that dream 21 years later.

Scrappy at times during the season when many questioned his inner strength, the McLaren driver bounced back to win seven races, muscle past his teammate Oscar Piastri and do enough to hold off a rampaging Max Verstappen.

He was quick and, in the end, he was gutsy. And a champion.

For McLaren, this was their 13th driver's title and their first since Lewis Hamilton in 2008. They also galloped to the constructors' title for the second year running.

• Rookies

Of the six rookies who started the season, Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli had the most eye-catching year, his sprint pole in Miami making him the youngest pole-sitter in Formula One history at just 18 years, eight months and seven days old.