Lando Norris gains edge in BBC Sports Personality of the Year race as rival withdraws

Lando Norris's bid to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award has received a significant boost after fellow nominee Luke Littler, the reigning World Darts Champion, publicly stated he will not attend the ceremony because he sees no chance of winning. The McLaren driver is among six contenders for the prestigious British sporting honor, with the winner to be announced on December 18.

Why it matters:

Winning the BBC Sports Personality of the Year would cement Norris's status as a mainstream British sporting icon following his dramatic 2024 Formula 1 World Championship victory. The award has a rich history with F1, having been won by legends like Sir Jackie Stewart, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, and Sir Lewis Hamilton. For Norris, claiming the prize would represent a symbolic capstone on his breakthrough season and further elevate his profile beyond the motorsport world.

The details:

• Norris is nominated alongside golfer Rory McIlroy, England Women's footballers Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly, England Women's rugby union star Ellie Kildunne, and darts sensation Luke Littler.
• McIlroy, who completed the career grand slam at The Masters and was part of Europe's winning Ryder Cup team, is considered the betting favorite for the award.
• Littler, who became the youngest-ever World Darts Champion in January at age 17, has explicitly ruled out his chances and confirmed he will not attend the ceremony in London.
  • When asked by SportsBoom if he believed he could win, Littler replied, "No. I'm not going to it."
  • He suggested that only the top three in the betting odds would attend, predicting that himself, Hampton, and Kildunne would "stay at home."
• Littler went on to predict that Norris would ultimately win the award. The two met in the F1 paddock ahead of the 2024 British Grand Prix.

The big picture:

The withdrawal of a popular contender like Littler, who commands a significant fanbase, could reshape the voting dynamics. While the award is decided by a public vote, attendance and visibility at the televised ceremony often influence voter sentiment. Norris's 2024 championship-winning narrative, combined with his charismatic personality, positions him as a strong contender against the favored McIlroy. A win would make him the first F1 driver since Lewis Hamilton in 2020 to receive the honor.

What's next:

The winner will be revealed at the live ceremony on BBC One on December 18. Norris's campaign will hinge on mobilizing the passionate F1 fanbase and appealing to the broader British public. If successful, he will join an elite group of Formula 1 world champions who have also been crowned the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, solidifying his legacy in both sporting realms.