Lando Norris became world champion by a whisker over four-time world champion Max Verstappen. Did he deserve to dethrone one of the greatest drivers of all time? Probably not, but what matters is being on the roof of the world, at least for a few months. The new number 1 celebrated in style in the bars of two top hotels in Abu Dhabi, where with friends and family, he partied until around 6am on Monday morning.
After the growing anxiety for the last round, following the problems suffered in Las Vegas and Qatar, the Englishman had a hectic few hours. It would have been enough for him to get on the podium to open the ball, but he had to sweat out the world triumph with an unexpected comeback. The McLaren driver, after crossing the finish line in third place, let rivers of champagne flow. The British magazine “Sun” has already done the math in the pocket of the new F1 world champion. Together with his friends he reached a record sum of 100 thousand pounds, or 114 thousand euros at the current exchange rate in the bars of the two Arab hotels. Also present at the party were his girlfriend Margarida Corceiro, his parents Adam and Cisca, his brother Oliver, and a host of technicians from the Woking company, who also won the team recognition.
Local party for Lando
The 26-year-old belted out some of his favorite songs, such as “Sweet Caroline” and “We Are The Champions.” The pilot also shared the images on his IG profile, shot at the “Pearls&Caviar” bar of the Shangri-La Hotel and the “Amber Lounge” of the W Hotel. A party that started after midnight and continued until the first light of dawn. A first time he will never forget, even for the exorbitant bill.
“This hangover is the fruit of a lifetime’s work”assured the English driver. The post-party morning continued at McDonald’s. Then Norris will at least have saved a few quid. His salary, considering the bonuses, was close to 40 million in 2025. The Scrooge-like accounts of the sportsmen’s Scrooges make noise, but 100,000 pounds is nothing for certain champions who also collect pharaonic sums from sponsors. Winning a world championship will offer Norris new collaborations and great prospects for 2026.
A Brit with the number 1
And Jenson Button su McLarenin 2010, an English driver didn’t put the number 1 on his nose. Lando has chosen to abdicate his historic number 4 to present himself next season as champion. Will he look down on everyone? It’s difficult to say, also because the engines and single-seaters will be completely transformed, following the dictates of the new technical regulations.
In theory, teams that have not fought for the top of the table could be at an advantage simply because they have not invested all their resources in 2025. Ferrari it stopped, for example, aerodynamic developments on the SF-25 in the spring to start focusing on next year’s car. They will also be at the gate Audi e Cadillacnew players in an increasingly rich grid, in which McLaren will always have to emerge in the name of Mercedes PUs.
