Norris reflects on 'night of a lifetime' at FIA Gala after championship win
Newly crowned 2025 Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris has shared intimate photos from the FIA Prize Giving Gala, calling it the night he had waited for his entire life. The McLaren driver secured the title by just two points in a dramatic season finale.
Lando Norris has shared a personal glimpse into his long-awaited moment of triumph, posting behind-the-scenes photos from the FIA Gala where he was officially crowned the 2025 Formula 1 World Champion. The McLaren driver described the night in Tashkent as the one he had "waited for my whole life," capping a season where he secured the title by a narrow two-point margin over Max Verstappen.
Why it matters:
Norris's championship victory represents a monumental shift in the F1 landscape, breaking years of dominance by Red Bull and Ferrari. His win not only marks a personal career peak but also signals McLaren's full return to championship contention for the first time since 2008, ending a 17-year drought for the historic team and making Norris the 11th British driver to claim the title.
The details:
- Norris's social media post featured a carousel of images tracing his entire gala experience, from preparation through to the ceremony, culminating with a shot of him holding the championship trophy.
- The 2025 title battle was exceptionally close, with Norris finishing just two points ahead of Max Verstappen and 13 points clear of his own teammate, Oscar Piastri, who had led the standings for 15 rounds.
- His path to the championship included seven race victories, with the title ultimately secured with a third-place finish at the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
The big picture:
The achievement has sparked debate within the F1 community about the role of car performance versus driver skill. Former driver Juan Pablo Montoya, while acknowledging Norris as a worthy champion, suggested that any top driver could have won in that year's competitive McLaren, drawing comparisons to previous McLaren champions. This commentary highlights the perennial discussion in motorsport about where credit should be allocated between machine and driver in championship successes.
What's next:
Norris now carries the #1 into the 2026 season as defending champion, facing increased pressure and expectation. His success has reset McLaren's ambitions and could trigger a sustained period of competitiveness for the Woking-based team, potentially establishing a new rivalry at the front of the grid as teams prepare for the next major regulation changes.