Verstappen's name echoes in McLaren's factory in the wake of F1 title win

20:01, 11 Dec

Updated: 21:03, 11 Dec

byOlly Darcy

Team principal Andrea Stella stated it was "the McLaren way" that "stopped Verstappen's dominance" as the Italian and Lando Norris returned to the McLaren Technical Centre.

“We will all remember when Oscar and then Lando crossed the line in Abu Dhabi. It’s a moment which will stay in our memory forever."

- Andrea Stella

The Italian and the Brit arrived back in the United Kingdom to celebrate McLaren's drivers' and constructors' title successes with the whole papaya-coloured team at the team's factory in Woking.

Norris became the first driver since Lewis Hamilton in 2008 to win the World Championship for McLaren, pipping Max Verstappen to the title by just two points at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with a P3 finish.

That title backed up the Constructors' Championship that the team sealed at the Singapore Grand Prix earlier in the season, capping off a stunning 2025 for the British team.

Photo: Race Pictures

“In 2025, we are Constructors’ and Drivers’ World Champions. Well done, everyone. History is made by a team," Stella exclaimed.

"I would like to express the full extent of my gratitude to everyone in the team and to our families for their support during this journey.

“I am very proud, not only of the achievements, but also of how we got here. We did it in the McLaren way. The 2025 season will be remembered in Formula 1 also because we had three drivers in contention at the final race of the season - two of whom are McLaren drivers, which is pretty unique in Formula 1. This is something that does not happen often."

'Verstappen dominance' conquered by McLaren

A podium finish at the Yas Marina Circuit was all Norris needed to become World Champion, and his P3 finish just guided him to his maiden title by just two points.

That also brought Verstappen's four successive title wins to an end, spanning from 2021 to 2024, and Stella was keen to point that out.

"We should not forget that in a sport characterised by eras, we were the ones who succeeded in stopping Verstappen’s dominance, and we did it as a team," the Italian continued.

“We will all remember when Oscar and then Lando crossed the line in Abu Dhabi. It’s a moment which will stay in our memory forever. But the full realisation of what we achieved for me came when I returned to the factory and saw the rest of the team members."

GPblog's latest F1 Paddock Update

Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the F1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.