Lando Norris, the reigning Formula 1 World Champion, has been nominated for the highly esteemed Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award. He faces tough competition from a diverse group of exceptional athletes, including darts prodigy Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler and footballer Desire Doue of Paris Saint-Germain.
The Laureus nominations highlight an impressive array of British sporting talent this year. Alongside Norris, Rory McIlroy, Leah Williamson, and Simon Yates have earned nods in various categories, with McIlroy and Williamson’s teams also nominated for World Team of the Year honors. Norris’ McLaren F1 team shares this recognition, reflecting their outstanding achievements.
Luke Littler’s nomination spotlights his remarkable rise in darts. At just 18, he became the youngest-ever world champion, securing the World Championship, World Matchplay, and Premier League titles — a career triple crown. Littler expressed immense pride in being the first darts player nominated for the award, aiming to elevate the sport’s global profile even further.
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Norris clinched the F1 Drivers’ Championship after a thrilling final race in Abu Dhabi, edging out four-time champion Max Verstappen. His nomination places him among a distinguished group of past Laureus winners, including Jude Bellingham, Emma Raducanu, and Lewis Hamilton.
The World Comeback of the Year category features British stars Rory McIlroy and Leah Williamson, alongside cyclist Simon Yates, all recognized for their extraordinary returns to form. Their competition includes tennis player Amanda Anisimova, Grand Tour winner Egan Bernal, and athlete Yulimar Rojas.
Team nominations include Arsenal’s women’s football team and the European Ryder Cup squad, showcasing exceptional collective efforts. Other notable team nominees are India’s women’s cricket team, Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team, and Paris Saint-Germain football club, recognized for their recent major triumphs.
Cyclist Tom Pidcock has been shortlisted for the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year, competing against world-class surfers and athletes from a variety of action sports.
The winners will be announced on April 20 at the Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid’s Cibeles Palace, honoring the very best in global sports achievement.