Norris lifts the World Drivers' Championship trophy for the first time

After winning the 2025 drivers' title, Lando Norris could finally lift the World Drivers' Championship trophy at the FIA gala.

The McLaren driver was crowned champion after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last Sunday. All Norris had to do was finish third to definitely secure his first F1 title, and he did just that, crossing the finish line behind Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri.

In the end, he finished just two points ahead of four-time world champion Verstappen and 13 points ahead of Piastri. He previously confirmed that next year, he will use the number '1' on his car.

Today, at the FIA Gala hosted in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the British driver finally lifted the trophy as well. His team, McLaren, was also crowned constructors' champions at the gala.

Norris reacts after lifting trophy

In his speech after being presented with the F1 Drivers’ Championship, Norris lauded the McLaren team for the success achieved together. The Brit also meted out praise to teammate Piastri and Red Bull driver Verstappen.

“Congratulations and thank you to McLaren, the team I've been with for many, many years, for giving both of us an incredible car that at times made our life very easy and beautiful, and allowed us to bring home many wins all the way to the end of the season, of course,” he began.

“Mr Piastri, the incredible teammate that I've had, who's helped me improve so much over the last few seasons and made us the team that we are, allowing us — McLaren — to turn into the team winning two constructors’ titles back-to-back. Of course, to Max as well, for challenging us the whole way, putting us under pressure, just doing what Max always does,” he added.

Highlighting how incredible it feels to win a drivers’ title, he continued:

“It was incredible. Obviously, this is a lot of people's dreams — a lot of racing drivers' dreams. And yeah, I finally got to live it, live that one dream that I had when I was a little kid. I mean, I remember, yeah, standing on the stage many, many years ago.”

“2014, I think it was — standing on stage with Jackie. Even before that, I think. So it's been amazing to grow up here alongside a lot of you guys, living with McLaren, getting to race all the world champions that I've been racing against — Lewis, Max, Seb, Fernando — all the incredible drivers I looked up to and watched when I was a little kid, and getting that chance to race them, to try to beat them, to show what I can do against them all. And we've managed to do that this year. So I'm very proud, very happy, of course.”

“Got very emotional on Sunday after the race and got extremely drunk and had an amazing time. So thank you very much, everyone. Thanks to you guys here. A pleasure,” he concluded.

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