Norris drops F-bomb at FIA Gala, jokes about paying fine after winning title
New F1 champion Lando Norris lightened the formal FIA prize-giving gala by dropping an F-bomb during his speech and joking about now being able to afford the fine. The moment highlighted his confident new status after a title-winning season defined by maturity and precision, which ended McLaren's 17-year drivers' championship drought.
Newly crowned 2025 Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris brought a dose of unfiltered humor to the FIA's formal prize-giving gala in Tashkent, casually swearing during his acceptance speech and joking about his newfound ability to pay the resulting fine. The moment highlighted the relaxed and triumphant mood for the McLaren driver, who secured Britain's 11th drivers' title and McLaren's first since 2008.
Why it matters:
The incident underscores a shift in Norris's public persona from a promising talent to a confident, champion-caliber figure comfortable on the sport's biggest stage. His ability to handle the formal ceremony with humor, while acknowledging the season's challenges, reflects the maturity that powered his title campaign. It also served as a lighthearted reminder that even in F1's most regulated environments, genuine personality can shine through.
The details:
- During his championship acceptance speech, Norris reflected on his season, stating, "We had our fair share of mistakes and f*** ups… Can I say that here? Oh, sorry, yeah... I got fined. I can pay it off now!"
- FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem immediately quipped, "5,000," referencing the standard €5,000 fine for public profanity by a driver.
- Ben Sulayem later leaned into the joke, stating he would waive the fine as compensation for having playfully ruffled Norris's hair on stage.
- Norris used his podium time to thank McLaren for an "incredible car," praised teammate Oscar Piastri for helping him improve, and acknowledged the challenge posed by Max Verstappen throughout the season.
- Verstappen, who was absent from the gala due to illness, was the race winner in Abu Dhabi, where Norris clinched the title with a calm third-place finish.
The big picture:
Norris's championship marks the culmination of McLaren's multi-year rebuilding project and ends a 17-year drought for the team. His title-sealing drive in Abu Dhabi was characterized by a lack of drama and precise control, qualities that defined his season-long battle against internal pressure from Piastri and external pressure from Verstappen. The team's back-to-back constructors' championships, paired with Norris's drivers' title, signal McLaren's full return to the summit of Formula 1.
What's next:
With the 2025 season concluded, Norris enters the offseason as the reigning champion, a status that will bring increased scrutiny and expectation for 2026. The lighthearted gala moment will soon give way to the serious work of defending his title, as McLaren looks to maintain its technical advantage and team momentum against rivals who will be aggressively developing their own challengers.