Damon Hill slams BBC show for mocking Lando Norris's 'underdog' background after title win
1996 F1 champion Damon Hill has defended Lando Norris from criticism over his wealthy background, after the BBC's 'Have I Got News For You' mocked Norris's 'underdog' story following his 2025 title win. Hill called the joke 'pathetic,' arguing Norris's success was earned through immense sacrifice and talent.
Damon Hill has publicly criticized the BBC comedy quiz show 'Have I Got News For You' for ridiculing Lando Norris's privileged background following his dramatic 2025 Formula 1 World Championship victory. The 1996 champion called the show's social media joke about Norris's wealth "pathetic," defending the new champion's dedication and sacrifice.
Why it matters:
The backlash highlights the ongoing tension in motorsport between celebrating sporting achievement and acknowledging the significant financial barriers to entry. Hill's defense underscores a veteran's perspective that ultimate success in F1 requires immense personal sacrifice and talent, regardless of one's starting point, while the criticism reflects a broader public sentiment about the sport's exclusivity.
The details:
- The BBC show's official X account posted a sarcastic comment calling Norris's title win "a true Formula one underdog story," joking that he came from a family "struggling to make ends meet on less than a billion pounds."
- Norris's father, Adam Norris, is a successful businessman and investor with an estimated net worth of around £200 million, having co-founded the financial services firm Hargreaves Lansdown.
- Damon Hill responded forcefully on social media, stating, "The kid literally had no life other than racing and working towards winning. So we should all start in the slums should we?"
- In a subsequent column for The Telegraph, Hill praised Norris's unique personality and his ability to learn and adapt mid-season, highlighting his decision to turn off his phone and focus solely on the championship fight.
The big picture:
This incident touches on a perennial debate in Formula 1. While the financial backing of families like the Norrises is undeniably a prerequisite for reaching the sport's junior categories, Hill's argument centers on the fact that money alone cannot buy a World Championship. Norris's triumph over a dominant Max Verstappen required a level of skill, mental fortitude, and relentless work ethic that transcends financial advantage. The exchange serves as a reminder that narratives in sports are complex, often oversimplified in public discourse.