Lando Norris Left Off New Year Honours List Despite Historic F1 World Championship Win

Lando Norris has been notably left off the 2025 New Year Honours list, despite delivering Britain its first Formula 1 world championship since Lewis Hamilton’s title in 2020.

The McLaren driver’s omission breaks with long-standing tradition, as British drivers who win their first F1 world championship have typically been recognised with a royal honour soon after. No official explanation has been given for Norris’ absence from this year’s list.

Norris sealed the drivers’ championship after a gripping season-long battle with team-mate Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. The 26-year-old emerged victorious by just two points over Verstappen, with the title fight going down to the final races and all three drivers remaining in contention deep into the campaign.

His triumph not only ended Verstappen’s run of championships but also marked McLaren’s return to the top of Formula One, while establishing Norris as Britain’s latest world champion, five years on from Hamilton’s last success.

Historically, British F1 champions have been honoured following their breakthrough titles. Damon Hill received recognition in 1996, Hamilton was awarded an MBE after his first championship in 2008, and Jenson Button followed suit in 2009. Hamilton was later knighted in 2020 for his wider contributions to motorsport and diversity.

The New Year Honours omission is not the only major recognition Norris has missed out on in recent months. He was also overlooked for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, which went to golfer Rory McIlroy.

Speaking emotionally after clinching the title earlier this month, Norris struggled to hold back tears as he reflected on his journey and paid tribute to those closest to him.

“Oh, God, I have not cried in a while,” he said. “It has been a long journey. I want to thank my guys, everyone at McLaren, my parents my mum and my dad, they’re the ones who have supported me since the beginning.”

Norris is now enjoying a well-earned break ahead of the 2026 Formula One season, which is set to begin on March 8 with the opening round in Melbourne, Australia.

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Written by

James Rees

A passionate motorsport journalist from Wales, with over 30 years of love for the sport. A dedicated father of three, working as a content manager, covering the fast-paced world of Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula E, and IndyCar.

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