Lando Norris formally crowned 2025 F1 World Champion at FIA Awards

Lando Norris was formally crowned the 2025 Formula 1 World Champion at the FIA Awards in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, five days after clinching his maiden title. The McLaren driver, who secured the championship by finishing third in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, became the sport's 35th champion, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Why it matters:

Norris's coronation marks the official end of Max Verstappen's four-year reign and signals a significant power shift in Formula 1. It validates McLaren's remarkable two-year resurgence and proves a team can successfully field two title-contending drivers, a feat many considered impossible in the modern era.

The details:

• The top-three finishers are required to attend the annual FIA Awards, which this year concluded the governing body's annual general assemblies week in Uzbekistan's capital.
• Reigning champion Max Verstappen, who finished just two points behind Norris after winning the season finale, did not attend on doctor's advice due to illness.
• In a video message, Verstappen congratulated McLaren and Norris, stating, "You guys had an unbelievable season and it was really cool to be able to race against you guys until the end."
• McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri collected his trophy for third place in the championship.
• The McLaren team was also awarded the Constructors' Championship trophy, securing the title double for the first time since 1998.

The big picture:

McLaren's dominance was underscored by clinching the constructors' title with six rounds remaining, eventually finishing 364 points clear of Mercedes. Team Principal Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown accepted the trophy, with Brown highlighting the team's achievement of having both drivers in title contention until the final race. "I'm just very proud of how McLaren went racing," Brown said, "and that's exactly what we plan to do next year." The ceremony solidifies McLaren's return to the pinnacle of the sport, setting a high benchmark for the 2026 season.