Formula 1 in 2025: Norris’ Title, New Agreements and the Road to 2026

A season remembered in images and reviews

The 2025 Formula 1 season was widely framed as dramatic, and much of the year’s story has been revisited through season reviews and photo selections that capture defining moments on and off the circuit. A curated set of images has been used to look back across the campaign, reflecting the intensity of the title fight and the atmosphere around the paddock.

Alongside the photography, long-form season reviews and race recaps have helped summarise the year’s key themes. These include end-of-season review programmes and post-race analysis from Abu Dhabi, where the championship was decided. Together, the images and reviews form a snapshot of a season that combined sporting pressure with constant discussion about the sport’s direction.

Lando Norris wins his first world title

The headline sporting outcome of 2025 was Lando Norris winning his first Formula 1 world title, secured at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Norris’ championship success placed him among British world champions and prompted reflection on what the achievement means for his career trajectory.

Norris spoke about wanting to “live a normal few days” and to “forget I drive in F1,” while also describing the emotional payoff of winning. In short-form reaction and extended interviews, the theme was clear: the title represented a lifetime ambition and a moment of personal validation, framed as something achieved on his own terms.

The season-ending weekend also contained the usual competitive tension. Max Verstappen beat Norris and Oscar Piastri to pole position, underlining how fine margins remained right to the end. Even so, the championship result stood: Norris emerged as the title winner, and the narrative quickly shifted from the final race itself to what the triumph might signal for the seasons ahead.

McLaren’s internal balance: Norris and Piastri

One of the most closely watched subplots of the year was the relationship between Norris and his team-mate Oscar Piastri during a title fight that involved both drivers. Intra-team championship battles in Formula 1 have often turned toxic, but analysis of McLaren’s season highlighted how the team maintained relative harmony.

Discussion around McLaren focused on the team’s rules, values, incidents and relationships, with attention on how pressure was managed when both drivers had high stakes. The psychological aspect of their rivalry was also explored in dedicated audio coverage, emphasising how mental resilience and decision-making can be as important as outright pace over a long championship campaign.

After the title was decided, reaction from Verstappen and Piastri acknowledged missing out, adding a final note of perspective to the season’s competitive storylines.

Hamilton’s difficult year and the questions that follow

While Norris’ breakthrough provided a celebratory focal point, 2025 also featured a contrasting narrative around Lewis Hamilton. Coverage described a “nightmare” year and included Hamilton expressing an “unbearable amount of anger & rage.” The comments captured the emotional strain that can accompany a difficult season at the top level.

The immediate question raised was what comes next. With the sport moving quickly toward a new era of regulations and shifting team dynamics, Hamilton’s situation became part of the broader end-of-season assessment: how leading drivers respond to setbacks, and how quickly fortunes can change in Formula 1.

Governance and long-term planning: FIA election and Concorde Agreement

Beyond the track, 2025 included notable governance and structural developments. Mohammed Ben Sulayem was re-elected as FIA president, unopposed, providing continuity at the governing body.

At the same time, Formula 1 stakeholders signed a new Concorde Agreement, a central framework that underpins how the sport operates. While the details were not the focus of race-weekend storytelling, the agreement’s significance lies in how it shapes long-term stability and coordination between the different parties involved in the championship.

Calendar news: Portuguese Grand Prix set to return

In calendar developments, the Portuguese Grand Prix was confirmed to return to the Formula 1 calendar in 2027. The announcement added to the ongoing conversation about scheduling and the sport’s global footprint, with fans and teams alike tracking how future seasons will be structured.

F1’s evolving language: active aero and overtake mode

As Formula 1 continues to develop, terminology evolves with it. In 2025, “active aero” and “overtake mode” were highlighted as part of the sport’s new language, reflecting how technical and sporting concepts are increasingly communicated in ways intended to be understood beyond specialist audiences.

This shift in vocabulary also connects to the wider regulatory conversation, particularly with major changes approaching. As new concepts become embedded in broadcasts and analysis, they influence how races are discussed and how fans interpret strategy, performance and the technology behind it.

Looking ahead: what’s new in 2026?

Even as the 2025 season concluded, attention moved quickly to 2026. The upcoming year has been framed as involving the “biggest rule change ever,” alongside interest in a “Brit teen” as part of the new landscape. Separate explainers have focused on the main rule changes for 2026 cars and have addressed common questions through an “Ask Me Anything” format.

Driver market discussion also continued, including updates on confirmed drivers for 2026 and commentary suggesting that Mercedes deals ended Verstappen speculation “for now.” Taken together, these threads show how the sport’s future is shaped simultaneously by regulations, contracts and competitive expectations.

Team and personnel storylines: Red Bull changes and Tsunoda’s future

Red Bull featured in several major off-track narratives. Adviser Helmut Marko was reported to be leaving the team after 20 years, a significant change given the length of his involvement. There was also discussion about Christian Horner, including mention of a £52m pay-off and questions about what comes next for the former team boss.

In parallel, attention turned to the future of Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda, with coverage asking what is next for the driver. These stories underlined how quickly the competitive and organisational picture can shift, even for teams accustomed to operating under intense scrutiny.

Fitness, safety and the human side of the sport

The season’s coverage also explored the human demands of Formula 1. One feature asked how drivers remain fit during the season, reflecting the physical preparation required across a long calendar. Another piece quoted an F1 doctor describing races and crashes, including the vivid recollection: “Suddenly there was this enormous fireball.”

These perspectives sit alongside the championship narrative, reminding audiences that Formula 1 is not only about results but also about endurance, risk management and the people who operate in high-pressure environments.

Key themes from 2025

• Norris won his first Formula 1 world title at Abu Dhabi, with extensive reflection on what the achievement means.
• McLaren’s handling of a tense intra-team title dynamic between Norris and Piastri drew analysis for maintaining relative harmony.
• Hamilton’s season was portrayed as deeply frustrating, raising questions about his next steps.
• Ben Sulayem was re-elected FIA president, unopposed, and a new Concorde Agreement was signed by stakeholders.
• The Portuguese Grand Prix is set to return to the calendar in 2027.
• Major 2026 regulation changes and driver confirmations are already shaping the conversation for the next era.

With 2025 now framed through images, reviews and reaction, the sport’s focus is already shifting. The title has been decided, but the combination of new agreements, calendar updates and the approaching 2026 rules ensures that the next chapter is already being written.