Lando Norris secured his first Formula 1 world title in Abu Dhabi after finishing third, narrowly beating Max Verstappen by just two points. His run to the championship was hard-fought, losing second place at the start to Oscar Piastri and later battling Charles Leclerc and heavy traffic after his pit stop. Despite a scare while overtaking Yuki Tsunoda, he maintained the podium position he needed to clinch the title.
Although crowned champion, Norris has not yet lifted the official world championship trophy. The prize was showcased before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, but the authentic trophy itself was not at the track. Commissioned in 1975, the sole official version remained in London, awaiting engraving once the championship outcome was decided.
Instead of raising it during the post-race celebrations, Norris will formally receive the trophy at the FIA’s prizegiving gala on December 12 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The black-tie ceremony, typically streamed across FIA platforms, will also present McLaren with their Constructors’ Championship trophy. The FIA continues to resist Liberty Media’s push to award trophies at the final race, arguing it would diminish interest in the gala.
Under FIA rules, the top three drivers—Norris, Verstappen and Piastri—must attend the event or face fines, a penalty Lewis Hamilton experienced in 2021. The gala also distributes honors across various motorsport categories, such as Rookie of the Year and special innovation awards.
Norris ends the season with 493 points to Verstappen’s 491, while Piastri finishes third on 410 after leading much of the season. His long-awaited trophy moment will finally arrive in Uzbekistan, marking the official start of his reign as world champion.
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