With the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year within sight, here are three reasons why F1 champion, Lando Norris deserves to win.
A dramatic season culminated in a maiden title for Norris as the Brit became the 11th different Brit and 35th overall individual driver to be crowned F1 champion.
His championship-winning campaign however was packed with plenty of highs and lows, yet he battled hard to achieve his childhood dream come the season finale so here are three reasons why he deserves to be in contention for 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Fans can vote for the winner during the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony on Thursday 18 December between 7-9pm on BBC One in the UK.
Commitment to Success with McLaren
Despite having progressed through McLaren’s youth programme into F1 in 2019 where he quickly cemented himself as a top young talent, Norris always showed unwavering commitment and loyalty to the team which gave him his big break even when their car wasn’t competitive in his early days of F1.
That commitment eventually paid off in May 2024 when he finally lucked into his maiden F1 victory on his 110th race start, which proved to be the confidence breakthrough as he mounted a strong but futile title bid against then reigning champion, Max Verstappen.
McLaren meanwhile took the constructors’ title that season in part thanks to Norris’ breakthrough season, unaware that it was the foundation which set up a successful 2025.
From his mature victory in the rain at the season-opener in Melbourne, Australia, Norris demonstrated consistency with 13 podiums in the opening 16 Grands Prix – which included victories at two of F1’s crown jewels in Monaco and Silverstone, of which the latter marked his home race.
Norris however knew that he was in a title battle with his own teammate, Oscar Piastri who led for much of the season, yet it was the 26-year-old Brit whose better consistency when not winning which proved decisive, especially against a resurgent Verstappen after the summer break.
Mature driving, Papaya Rules and some risk-taking though defined Norris’ season because his one-stop gamble in Hungary proved the difference, as he clung on 39-laps worn hard tyres to fend off Piastri at the checkered flag underlining his progress in tyre and race management this season.
His composed drive to third in the season finale also highlighted his improved ability to perform under the biggest pressures because in knowledge that third was enough, he let Verstappen and Piastri duel for the win whilst he calmly brought the car home to wrap up his first title.
You therefore can’t help but love how Norris’ commitment and trust in McLaren delivered them both a first driver and constructors’ title double since 1998, when McLaren achieved that double with Finland’s Mika Hakkinen.
Relatable Personality
Whilst BBC Sports Personality of the Year is primarily about achievement, there is also a need to have a relatable personality to attract votes which is something that Norris has in abundance.
From his gaming and YouTube activities through his content creation and esports brand, Quadrant, to openly speaking about mental health on ITV’s daytime show – This Morning, there is no doubt that Norris has a more openly-relatable personality across various demographics compared to his fellow nominees.
Norris’ open ability to discuss his mental health throughout his F1 career also marks him out as different to many other top athletes, because it demonstrates humility in being able to accept that it is best to talk and be open rather than bottle up struggles in a fast-paced world like F1 as he is human like everyone else.
Whilst some wish to dismiss the importance of mental health, there is no doubt that Norris has brought mental health discussion to the fore during his time in F1, showing that it is ok to struggle and get help even when you look like you are at the top of your game.
Those points about mental health also feeds into another element of Norris’ relatable personality because his open self-critical approach in post-session interviews has been an asset in unleashing his inner frustrations and giving a more real insight into the pressures of a F1 driver when on track.
Given that mental health is a big talking point within society and especially men, you therefore can’t fault Norris for not being afraid to showcase his human personality rather than hide behind a persona as can be expected of stars in various disciplines.
With that in mind amidst the backdrop of a relentlessly improving Verstappen proving difficult to beat and Papaya Rules of fair play between him and Piastri in a fierce title battle, credit therefore has to go to Norris who showcased maturity and calmness to snatch the title whilst maintaining his cool personality.
Inspiration
Whilst it’s easy to focus on Norris’ on-track success and relatable personality, we also shouldn’t forget that he left education without sitting any GCSEs.
Given that young people in the UK are constantly told throughout their education that their GCSE qualifications are important to their future careers, Norris has proved that you don’t need grades in order to achieve your personal ambitions in life.
Considering that fact within the wider context of his achievement then you can’t deny that he is an inspiration for many people of all ages, as an example that GCSEs aren’t the be all and end all to personal ambitions if graft hard and have natural talent which is nurtured successfully.
Leave a Reply