Lando Norris: The New Face of Formula 1 Triumph Faces Backlash After FIA Prize Giving Gala!
In a dazzling display of motorsport glory, Lando Norris, the young sensation of Formula 1, was officially recognized as the world champion at the prestigious FIA Prize Giving Gala held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The atmosphere was electric, with Norris lifting his trophy for the first time, but the celebrations quickly took a turn as eagle-eyed fans unleashed a wave of online criticism over a seemingly innocent moment between Norris and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Just days after clinching the championship title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Norris took the stage alongside his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri, team principal Andrea Stella, and CEO Zak Brown. The 24-year-old champion, beaming with excitement yet visibly nervous, was greeted by Ben Sulayem in a manner that sparked outrage on social media. The FIA president playfully ruffled Norris’s meticulously styled hair, a gesture that many saw as inappropriate and patronizing. “I hope my hair is not too bad now. I put so much effort into that…” Norris quipped, trying to laugh off the awkward encounter.
However, the tension in the room was palpable as the moment continued to resonate online. Fans were quick to voice their opinions, with one commenter sharply stating, “Don’t touch my hair bro,” while another suggested it was a blatant “power move” by Ben Sulayem, asserting dominance over the young driver. “Norris obviously styles his hair. MBS messing with his hair is a power play. It says ‘I am dominant and if I want to play with your hair I will,'” they wrote, capturing the sentiment of many who felt the interaction crossed a line. A third voice chimed in, calling the president’s actions “disrespectful” and indicative of a troubling trend in the sport.
Despite the backlash, Norris maintained his composure and delivered a heartfelt speech, expressing gratitude to McLaren for their unwavering support throughout his career. “Congratulations and thank you to McLaren,” he exclaimed. “The team I’ve been with for many, many years has provided us with an incredible car that made our lives much easier and beautiful, allowing us to secure numerous wins until the season’s end.”
He went on to acknowledge his teammate, saying, “Of course, Mr. Piastri, the incredible team-mate that I’ve had, who has helped me improve so much over the last few seasons. It’s a testament to our hard work that we became the team winning two constructors’ titles back-to-back.” Norris also took a moment to commend his fierce competitor, Max Verstappen, stating, “To Max as well, for challenging us the whole way, putting us under pressure, just doing what Max always does.”
This moment of triumph served as a reminder of Norris’s journey from a young racing enthusiast to a world champion, living out a dream he had since childhood. “This is a lot of people’s dreams and I got to finally live it – live that one dream that I had when I was a little kid,” he declared, a sentiment that resonated with fans and aspiring drivers around the globe.
While the night was meant to celebrate Norris’s monumental achievement, the controversial exchange with Ben Sulayem has sparked a much-needed conversation regarding respect and professionalism in the world of motorsport. As fans continue to weigh in, one thing is clear: the spotlight on Lando Norris is brighter than ever, and the world will be watching closely as he navigates through the complexities of fame, competition, and now, the scrutiny of social media.







