Story byMotorsport photoAlex HarringtonTue, December 16, 2025 at 11:30 AM UTC·2 min readLando Norris was officially crowned as a Formula 1 world champion at the FIA Prize Giving Gala in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, but while fans celebrated the driver lifting his trophy for the first time, they were quick to comment on the exchanges between the McLaren driver and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Just days after sealing the title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Norris appeared on stage alongside his team-mate Oscar Piastri, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, and team principal Andrea Stella. Visibly nervous, the driver walked onto the stage with a smile spread from ear to ear as Ben Sulayem greeted him. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Emirati lunged in to ruffle his hair, a move that was pulled apart by social media-goers. Norris responded at the time, saying, “I hope my hair is not too bad now. I put so much effort into that…”The Briton then began his speech, addressing those from the motorsport industry who had joined them in the capital.“We had our fair share of mistakes and f**k-ups.
