Max Verstappen’s Absence Shakes Up FIA Gala as Lando Norris Takes Center Stage
In a stunning turn of events, Max Verstappen, the reigning F1 superstar, has announced he will NOT be attending the highly anticipated FIA prize-giving ceremony in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, scheduled for Friday. The spotlight will shine bright on Lando Norris, who is set to be officially crowned the 2025 Formula 1 World Champion. With Verstappen sidelined, the gala will feature an unexpected twist that fans and attendees won’t soon forget!
Verstappen, known for his dominating presence at the podium over the past four years, has opted out of the glamorous affair due to a bout of the flu. The four-time champion has become synonymous with the FIA ceremonies, where he collected his trophies in glitzy locales such as France, Italy, Azerbaijan, and Rwanda. This year, however, he will miss the chance to celebrate alongside fellow competitors, including second-place finisher Oscar Piastri, as Norris basks in the glory of his championship win.
Adding to the intrigue, Verstappen is still in the running for the coveted ‘Action of the Year’ award for his breathtaking overtake on Piastri during the thrilling 2025 Imola Grand Prix. His absence from the gala raises questions about how this will affect his legacy and relationships within the sport.
For those eager to witness the drama unfold, the 2025 FIA prize-giving ceremony will be live-streamed for free on the FIA’s official YouTube channel on December 12, 2025, at 6 PM GMT. Fans around the world can tune in and celebrate not only Norris’s triumph but also the achievements of drivers from various FIA-sanctioned series.
Mark your calendars! Here’s how the timing breaks down for different time zones: – Local time (UZT): 11 PM Friday – United Kingdom (GMT): 6 PM Friday – Central European Time (CET): 7 PM Friday – United States (ET): 1 PM Friday – United States (CT): 12 PM Friday – United States (PT): 10 AM Friday – Brazil (BRT): 3 PM Friday – Australia (AET): 5 AM Saturday – Japan (JST): 3 AM Saturday
As the motorsport community rallies to honor Lando Norris, all eyes will be on how Max Verstappen’s absence will reverberate through the F1 world. Will he recover in time to reclaim his throne next season? The tension is palpable, and fans can’t wait to see what happens next in this high-octane saga!
