Lando Norris, the newly crowned Formula 1 World Champion, has been nominated as a finalist for the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award. The McLaren driver secured third place in the season’s final race, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, finishing just two points ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, thereby winning the world title in the tightest F1 championship conclusion seen in 15 years.
Norris claimed his first world championship and became the first McLaren driver to do so since Lewis Hamilton in 2008. With seven race wins in 2025, the 26-year-old made history as Britain’s 11th Formula 1 world champion and the 35th in the sport’s 75-year legacy.
The shortlist for the award also includes England footballers Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly, rugby player Ellie Kildan, darts player Luke Littler, and golfer Rory McIlroy. The winner will be decided through a public vote during the BBC One broadcast on Thursday, 18 December. This year’s event will take place at MediaCityUK in Salford, Manchester, hosted by Gabby Logan, Alex Scott, and Claire Balding.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who previously won the BBC SPOTY Award in 2014 and 2020, is among the sport’s greats. Alex Keijelski, BBC Sport Director, praised the outstanding performances of athletes throughout the year and expressed excitement about celebrating these achievements and revealing who the public will crown as the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Fan Take: This recognition of Lando Norris is a huge milestone for racing fans, highlighting the emergence of a new British talent ready to carry the sport forward. His thrilling championship victory promises to inject fresh excitement into Formula 1 and inspire the next generation of drivers and fans alike.
