Lando Norris: A Champion’s Triumph Overshadowed by Sports Personality Snub!
In a stunning twist of fate, newly-crowned Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris has been left reeling after narrowly missing out on the coveted BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. The 26-year-old McLaren star, who achieved the remarkable feat of overcoming a staggering 34-point deficit to claim the F1 2025 title, had his dreams dashed as he finished third in the public vote, trailing behind golfing legend Rory McIlroy and rising rugby star Ellie Kildunne.
Norris, who stormed to victory with a sensational tally of seven grand prix wins this season, solidified his place in F1 history by dethroning Max Verstappen and leading McLaren to a sensational Constructors’ Championship alongside teammate Oscar Piastri. Yet, despite these monumental achievements, the public vote did not favor the young champion, leaving fans and pundits alike in shock.
In a heartfelt message shared during the awards ceremony, Norris expressed his disappointment, saying, “Hello everyone, good evening. I’m very sorry I cannot be with you all on this beautiful evening. There are a lot of incredible people there that I would’ve loved to have joined. I’m enjoying a little break at the moment. I’ve had a really enjoyable year.” His gracious words did little to mask the bitter disappointment of being overshadowed by McIlroy, who celebrated his own historic achievements, becoming only the sixth player in history to complete a career Grand Slam.
McIlroy, elated after receiving the award, took a moment to congratulate his fellow nominees, acknowledging the hard work and dedication required to reach such heights. “Wow,” he exclaimed. “It’s the year dreams are made of.” Among the other nominees included England’s Kildunne, who played a pivotal role in her team’s World Cup victory, along with Lionesses Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton, and World Darts Champion Luke Littler.
As Norris reflects on his incredible season, he recalls the pivotal moment at Zandvoort when he faced a crushing engine issue that left him trailing his teammate. Instead of succumbing to the pressure, Norris revealed that this setback ignited a fierce determination within him. “I honestly would just want to say no,” he stated when asked if the pressure helped him relax. “It didn’t allow me to relax. I felt like I was trying to do everything I could… I had to step up what I was doing away from the track. I had to work harder both on the simulator and here at the track.”
Norris’s relentless pursuit of excellence saw him change his approach, bringing in more professionals to help unlock his true potential. “I had to dig deep and try to understand more things quickly,” he explained. This grit and determination ultimately led to a string of impressive results that secured him the championship.
As the dust settles on this year’s awards, one thing remains clear: Lando Norris has proven himself a champion on and off the track, and while the Sports Personality of the Year award may have slipped through his fingers, his legacy as an F1 superstar is only just beginning. What lies ahead for this young champion? Only time will tell, but fans can be sure that Norris will continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in motorsport!









