Lando Norris honoured with prestigious sports award on star-studded night
Lando Norris crowned with prestigious award following his maiden F1 triumph.
Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris has picked up a prestigious award at the Laureus awards in Madrid.
The 26-year-old Briton was rewarded for his success in 2025 as he won his maiden world championship, coming out on top of a thrilling three-way title battle with Max Verstappen and McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri.
Norris was crowned world champion after finishing third in a nail-biting finale in Abu Dhabi that saw him clinch the title by two points from Verstappen, ending the Red Bull driver’s four-year reign at the top of F1 in the process.
Following an incredible year, Norris was rewarded with the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award.
"Thank you to the Laureus Academy for selecting me as their World Breakthrough of the Year winner. It's an honour to be recognised by many legendary athletes who have achieved so much in their careers," Norris said during his acceptance speech.
”Winning the world championship is something I dreamed about since I was young, so to win my first in 2025 is pretty special. It's far from being an individual achievement, without my team, who were also nominated for a Laureus Team of the Year Award, I wouldn't be where I am today.
"It's pretty incredible to have my name added to the list of winners of this Award, joining athletes like Lewis Hamilton to Jude Bellingham, I hope to also inspire young drivers coming through. This Laureus is a reminder of everything that went into our win last season, and everything still to come.”
Norris fended off competition from sporting stars including darts sensation and fellow Briton Luke Littler.
Tennis player Carlos Alcaraz was named Sportsman of the Year, while Aryna Sabalenka picked up the Sportswoman gong.
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIIroy won the Comeback of the Year award following his triumph at the Masters last year.
McIIroy followed up his first Masters golf title with another win earlier this month.
Norris’s hopes of defending his drivers’ title have already taken an early hit, with McLaren enduring a difficult start to the 2026 season and F1’s new rules era.
Norris sits fifth in the championship with 25 points after the opening three races, 47 adrift of surprise early points leader Kimi Antonelli.
Double reigning world champions McLaren are third in the constructors’ standings, 89 points behind Mercedes.
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