Lando Norris has collected his first Formula 1 world championship trophy at an FIA gala event in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Norris clinched the title in a tense Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last Sunday, beating Max Verstappen by two points and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri by 13 in what went down to the wire as a three-way fight.
Englishman Norris, 26, became the sport’s 35th champion and the fourth on the current grid, along with Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.
F1’s rules state that champions do not collect their trophy until their end-of-season prizegiving gala, where all the champions from FIA-governed series’ attend.
The F1 championship award is considered the centerpiece of the gala.
In a short speech, McLaren CEO Zak Brown said: “To go into the final race with two drivers fighting for the world championship when everyone said that couldn’t be done. I’m just very proud of how McLaren went racing and that’s exactly what we plan to do next year.”
Norris said: “Thank you to McLaren, the team I’ve been with for many, many years … for giving us an incredible car that at times made our lives very easy, and beautiful and we could bring home many wins all the way to the end of the season.”
Turning to Piastri, Norris added: “Of course, Mr Piastri, the incredible teammate I’ve had who has helped me improve so much over last few seasons.”
When collecting his third-place award, Piastri said: “[It’s been] plenty of fun going racing with Andrea [Stella] and Zak [Brown] next to me. I’m looking forward to plenty more years trying to push each other and trying to beat each other.
“It’s been a great season, I’m looking forward to a few weeks off and it all starts again pretty quick.”
Four-time champion Verstappen and runner-up for 2025, did not attend the awards due to illness, but a video message was broadcast with the Dutchman congratulating McLaren and Norris.
Additional reporting by ESPN’s Nate Saunders.
