Norris steps up as fresh champion for new F1 era

Lando Norris stepped up as a first-time world champion in 2025 to end Max Verstappen's four-year reign and lead Formula One into a new era.

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DREAM CROWN: McLaren's British driver Lando Norris.

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 Bull's 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.

McLaren's title double

"It could be my only opportunity in my life that I get to do such a thing," Norris said of putting the champion's No.1 on his car next season.