’ coronation as world champion was meant to be a refined, celebratory second, and largely it was. The McLaren driver formally obtained his 2025 World Championship trophy at Friday’s annual FIA end-of-season awards ceremony in Uzbekistan, marking the end result of a dramatic title struggle that went all the way down to the wire.
However in traditional Norris vogue, the second briefly veered off script.
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After being welcomed onto the stage by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who playfully riffled the Briton’s hair to laughter from the viewers, Norris mirrored truthfully on McLaren’s season. Whereas praising the group’s resilience and development, the newly topped champion admitted that they had endured their “justifiable share of errors and [expletive]” alongside the best way.
The room erupted.
The $10,000 Joke That Stole the Present
Ben Sulayem shortly seized the second, joking “$10,000” into the microphone, a tongue-in-cheek nod to the FIA’s rules that prohibit swearing in official settings. Underneath present pointers, such an offense may lead to a superb of $10,000.
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On this handout supplied by Federation Internationale de l’Car (FIA), Lando Norris of Nice Britain and McLaren talks with Mohammed ben Sulayem, FIA President and Abdulla Aripov, Priminister of Uzbekistan earlier than being introduced the Components One Championship Trophy through the FIA Awards 2025 on December 12, 2025 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.Handout/FIA/DPPI through Getty Photographs
Moderately than dampening the second, the trade solely added to the relaxed, celebratory tone of the night.
“Initially, when he mentioned the “F”, it was going to be a $10,000 superb,” Ben Sulayem joked, earlier than pausing. “However now I believe you want it on your hair after I messed it!”
The comment drew laughter from the gang as Norris smiled on stage, the specter of punishment clearly waved away.
This story was initially printed by on Dec 15, 2025, the place it first appeared within the part. Add Athlon Sports activities as a
