Ben Sulayem Ruffles Norris's Hair in Bizarre FIA Awards Moment

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem sparked a mixed reaction by aggressively ruffling Lando Norris's hair as the new World Champion approached the stage at the FIA Prize Giving Gala in Tashkent. The awkward physical gesture, met with laughter on stage but criticism online, overshadowed part of Norris's formal trophy acceptance for his 2025 Formula 1 Drivers' Championship.

Why it matters:

The FIA Awards night is meant to be a formal celebration of sporting excellence, but the president's unconventional and overly familiar act shifted focus from Norris's achievement to uncomfortable optics. It highlights the ongoing scrutiny of Ben Sulayem's public conduct and raises questions about professionalism at the sport's highest ceremonial event.

The details:

• As Norris walked on stage, Ben Sulayem shook his hand before proceeding to mess up the McLaren driver's meticulously styled hair.
• The moment drew laughs from the presenting team and McLaren personnel, including Team Principal Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown, but was met with a swift and largely negative reaction on social media.
• In his championship speech, Norris reflected on his season-long battle with Max Verstappen, dropping an F-bomb in the process: "We’ve had some great wins... but I and we had our share of mistakes and fuck-ups. Can I say that here? Oh sorry, I got fined. I can pay it off now."
• Ben Sulayem later joked about the incident, telling Norris, "When he said the F-word, I was going to give you a 5000 fine, but now I think you need it for your hair after I messed it."
• Norris paid tribute to his team and teammate, stating, "Congratulations and thank you to McLaren... for giving both of us an incredible car" and acknowledging Oscar Piastri as "the incredible teammate that I’ve had, who has helped me improve so much."

Between the lines:

The incident, while perhaps intended as light-hearted, underscores a recurring theme of Ben Sulayem's presidency, where his personal style sometimes clashes with the formal decorum expected of his office. For Norris, the night was a culmination of a childhood dream, yet the narrative was partially diverted by an unscripted moment that many fans perceived as disrespectful to the new champion.