An emotional Lando Norris made history by becoming the 11th British driver to win the Formula One World Championship after securing third place in the dramatic Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Born in Bristol and raised in Glastonbury, Norris’s journey began at Millfield School, where he attended for nine years, starting at Millfield Prep School in Year 2 and leaving in Year 10. It was here, at the age of seven, that he first took up kart racing—an early passion ignited after his father took him to watch the British National Karting Championships.
Before karting, Norris dabbled in horse riding, quad biking, and motorcycles, but it was his talent on the track that defined his path. Though he left school before completing his GCSEs, Norris pursued physics and mathematics with the support of a full-time personal tutor, balancing education with his burgeoning motorsport career.
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Norris’s rise in racing was also backed by his father, Adam Norris, a successful businessman with an estimated net worth of £205 million. Adam played a pivotal role in funding Lando’s career, which involved nearly 900 competitive races before his breakthrough victory in Miami last year. Adam’s fortune stems from the sale of his pension advice company and ongoing ventures with Horatio Investments Ltd. Lando’s mother, Cisca, hails from Flanders, Belgium, adding a diverse cultural background to his story.
Lando Norris quickly gained a reputation as one of Formula One’s brightest talents. Following in the footsteps of Lewis Hamilton, Norris made his McLaren debut at 19 in the 2019 Australian Grand Prix, becoming the youngest British driver ever in F1. From the start, Norris matched his teammate Carlos Sainz and later outpaced Daniel Ricciardo, proving his speed and consistency.
Despite his undeniable talent, Norris lacked a championship-winning car early on. Various opportunities arose, including inquiries from Red Bull, yet race victories remained elusive. Notably, in the 2021 Russian Grand Prix, Norris was denied victory by a sudden rain shower and a costly hesitation to switch to wet tyres—a moment that continues to haunt him and his team.
By 2023, Norris had become the highest-scoring driver in Formula One history without a race win. His record-breaking streak continued with 14 podiums before finally clinching his first victory in his 110th race in Miami. This breakthrough was celebrated worldwide, with notable congratulations from former U.S. President Donald Trump, paving the way for a winning streak including triumphs in Zandvoort, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi in 2024.
The 2025 season saw Norris dominate further, winning in Australia, Monaco, Austria, Silverstone, Hungary, Mexico, and Sao Paulo. His consistent performances culminated in the critical final race of the season in Abu Dhabi, where a third-place finish was enough to secure the World Championship title.
At the Yas Marina Circuit, Norris delivered a masterclass, even amid a stewards’ investigation for a minor off-track maneuver while overtaking. He escaped penalty, and although Max Verstappen won the race, Norris’s lead was unassailable. Verstappen finished 12.5 seconds ahead of second-placed Oscar Piastri, with Norris crossing the line 3.9 seconds behind Piastri and maintaining a comfortable margin over fourth-placed Charles Leclerc.
Norris’s journey from a kart-racing enthusiast in Glastonbury to Formula One World Champion is a testament to talent, perseverance, and unwavering support—a new chapter in British motorsport glory has been written.