McLaren favour Lando Norris and Max Verstappen issues F1 warning to rivals - International Media reacts

The F1 season came to a conclusion in Abu Dhabi last Sunday as Lando Norris' third-place result was enough to seal the F1 title.

The Briton joined an exclusive list of F1 drivers who have taken the ultimate crown in motorsport while Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri were forced to concede defeat.

Verstappen was just two points behind the McLaren driver at the conclusion of the race, marking an agonising defeat for the Dutchman. 

But as one publication puts it, his late season surge should strike fear into his rivals ahead of the new season.

Here is how media from around the world reacted to the final round of the F1 season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

🇬🇧 The Times - Lando Norris 'held his nerve' in 'fitting' end to F1 title race

The Times highlights the scrutiny that Lando Norris was under this year, particularly early in the campaign when minor mistakes cost him dearly in the fight against Piastri.

It highlighted how Norris “held his nerve” at the end of the season and the two-point margin to Verstappen is “fitting for a driver who has never pretended to be invincible”.

An open and honest Norris detailed the internal battles that he endured across the season, and it was a theme brought up by The Times, who highlighted a quote from the Briton in 2024: “I’ve never had a lot of confidence with anything I’ve done. I was never good at anything bar driving.”

But as the publication points out, driving “was all he needed” to achieve his F1 dream.

🇳🇱 De Telegraaf - Gianpiero Lambiase moved by Max Verstappen: 'That kid has grown'

Dutch publication De Telegraaf focused on the relationship between Max Verstappen and his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase.

The two, who have been paired together since Verstappen's Red Bull debut in 2016, have enjoyed plenty of success together - but on Sunday in Abu Dhabi, it was the sour taste of defeat.

Lambiase was visibly emotional on the pit wall in the moments after the race, and this emotion did not waver as the evening progressed.

The publication writes that Lambiase was brought to tears by Verstappen message after the chequered flag, stating: 'Man, that kid has grown so much'.

🇦🇺 Herald Sun - McLaren favour Lando Norris, who got off 'scot-free' in Abu Dhabi

An opinion piece published in the Herald Sun has accused McLaren of being heavily biased towards Lando Norris in the title fight.

The argument stems from Norris having a longer presence inside the team, and states team CEO Zak Brown 'has been running around like a headless chook all year trying to PR-manage his own disaster'.

The Herald Sun also pointed to the off-track overtake Norris completed on Yuki Tsunoda.

Despite the stewards declaring Norris was forced wide, the author of the article that Norris 'got off scot-free' as it suggested his British nationality was an element that played to his advantage during the year.

🇺🇸 The Athletic - Max Verstappen attitude should 'worry his rivals'

The Athletic looks at how Verstappen conducted himself throughout the weekend in Abu Dhabi, particulary after his close title defeat.

Verstappen was just two points away from becoming only the second driver in the sport's history to achieve five successive championships but was denied by Lando Norris.

The publication spoke of Verstappen's calm attitude on the build up to the race and even after the chequered flag - but insisted his calm demeanour should worry rival drivers ahead of 2026.

Having been 104 points down soon after the end of the summer break, it stated his comeback drive 'showed that the four-time world champion had managed to improve yet again'.

🇮🇹 Corriere Della Sera - Double victory for Lando Norris

The Italian outlet hailed Norris not only for his driving skills, but also for how he conducted himself throughout the season.

Labelling it a double victory, Corriere Della Sera commended Norris for winning the title 'his way', something that was reiterated by the new world champion himself.

His on-track behaviour no doubt differs greatly from that of Max Verstappen, who does not shy away from pulling aggressive moves to come out on top.

It stated he unlocked his 'inner discipline' en route to winning the championship.