Lando Norris formally crowned 2025 F1 world champion at FIA Awards
Lando Norris was formally presented with the Formula 1 Drivers' Championship trophy at the FIA Awards in Uzbekistan, cementing his status as the 2025 world champion. His McLaren team also collected the Constructors' trophy, completing their first championship double since 1998, while absent runner-up Max Verstappen sent his congratulations via video message.
Lando Norris was officially crowned the 2025 Formula 1 Drivers' World Champion at the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, five days after clinching his maiden title in Abu Dhabi. The McLaren driver was presented with the trophy, becoming the sport's 35th world champion, while his team collected the Constructors' trophy for a historic double.
Why it matters:
Norris's coronation marks the end of Max Verstappen's four-year reign and the culmination of McLaren's remarkable resurgence. Winning both championships for the first time since 1998 solidifies the Woking team's return to the pinnacle of F1, proving a sustained challenge to the established order is possible. It also represents a pivotal moment for a driver long considered a future champion finally realizing his potential.
The details:
- The ceremony in Tashkent formalized the results of a dramatic season finale in Abu Dhabi, where Norris secured the title by just two points over Verstappen.
- Max Verstappen, the outgoing champion, did not attend due to illness on doctor's advice. He sent a video message congratulating Norris and McLaren on their "unbelievable season."
- Oscar Piastri, Norris's teammate, collected his trophy for third place in the drivers' standings.
- McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown accepted the Constructors' Championship trophy. The team had wrapped up that title with six races to spare in Singapore, eventually finishing 364 points clear of Mercedes.
The big picture:
McLaren's 2025 campaign will be remembered as a masterclass in team execution and driver performance. From securing the constructors' title early to managing a tense intra-team fight for the drivers' championship, the team executed a near-perfect season. Zak Brown highlighted the significance of having both drivers in title contention until the end, a scenario many doubted was possible. This double championship win validates years of structural investment and technical development at McLaren, setting a new benchmark for the team's ambitions.
What's next:
The focus immediately shifts to 2026 and the challenge of defending both titles under a new set of technical regulations. McLaren will aim to become the first team since Mercedes in 2019-2020 to win consecutive constructors' championships, while Lando Norris will face the new pressure of being the reigning champion. The 2026 season begins with the Australian Grand Prix on March 6-8, where the grid will reassemble to see if McLaren's dominance can continue or if rivals like a recuperated Red Bull and a resurgent Ferrari can mount a stronger challenge.