The 2025 Formula 1 season, a brutal 24-race marathon culminating in a razor-thin title fight, officially drew to a close not on the high-speed tarmac of Abu Dhabi, but under the formal lights of the FIA’s annual prize-giving ceremony. Five days after securing his destiny, Lando Norris was formally recognized as the 2025 F1 World Champion, receiving the coveted Drivers’ Championship trophy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
This traditional end-of-year gala, designed to honor the finest achievements across global motorsport, served as the ultimate punctuation mark on a season that saw McLaren successfully depose a dynasty. Norris, now the 35th driver in history to claim the F1 crown, marked his ascension far from the familiar garages of Woking or the cheers of Silverstone, proving that official recognition sometimes requires traveling to unexpected corners of the globe.
A Dream Realized, A Legacy Reignited
For Norris, who has navigated the tumultuous waters of the mid-field before spearheading McLaren`s dramatic return to elite competition, the moment was profoundly symbolic. He had clinched the title merely by finishing third at the season finale, demonstrating consistency and nerve under immense pressure. Standing on the podium in Abu Dhabi was the victory; accepting the golden silverware in Tashkent was the confirmation.
“It was incredible,” Norris stated, reflecting on his championship victory. “Obviously this is a lot of people`s dreams, a lot of racing drivers` dreams, and I got to finally live it. Live that one dream that I had when I was a little kid.”
The achievement carries immense weight, not just for the 25-year-old Briton, but for the entire McLaren team, securing their first Drivers’ Championship since Lewis Hamilton’s triumph in 2008. The long drought is over, fueled by technical precision and a driver whose blend of speed and maturity proved unbeatable across the diverse demands of the modern F1 calendar.
The Outgoing Champion’s Respect
One notable absence from the FIA ceremony was Max Verstappen. The Dutch driver, who had dominated the previous four F1 campaigns and finished a close second in the 2025 Drivers` Championship—just two points shy of Norris—did not travel to Tashkent due to illness, as confirmed by his doctor’s advice. While the rulebook mandates attendance for the top three finishers, the governing body accepted his apologies.
Verstappen’s absence, while regrettable for the ceremony`s visual impact, was countered by a display of sportsmanship via a video message. The outgoing champion took the opportunity to personally acknowledge the scale of his rival’s success.
“A big congratulations to McLaren and especially Lando,” Verstappen said in his video tribute. “You guys had an unbelievable season and it was really cool to be able to race against you guys until the end. Definitely enjoy it.”
This high-level praise underscores the phenomenal competition that defined the 2025 F1 season. The battle between the established champion and the newly crowned contender was fought not just with high performance engineering, but with strategic depth and resilience—a battle that went down to the final flag of the season.
Looking Ahead: The New F1 Era
The FIA Awards ceremony concludes the official business of the calendar year, transitioning the sport’s focus entirely onto the 2026 season and the looming technical regulation changes. For Lando Norris, the golden trophy signifies the end of one journey and the challenging start of another: defending the F1 World Champion title. The racing community now eagerly anticipates whether McLaren and Norris can maintain this new, lofty standard in an era of rapidly evolving aerodynamic and power unit specifications.
The celebration in Uzbekistan confirms what millions of fans witnessed throughout the year: a new champion has emerged, ready to define the next chapter of Formula 1 history.
