FIA Gala Sees Norris Crowned, Verstappen Absent, and New Concorde Agreement Signed

The 2025 F1 season was officially closed in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, as Lando Norris was formally crowned world champion at the FIA Prize Giving Gala, an event notably missing the unwell Max Verstappen. The evening also saw the FIA, Formula 1, and all ten teams finalize a landmark new Concorde Agreement, setting the sport's commercial and regulatory foundation for the coming years.

Why it matters:

The FIA Gala serves as the formal bookend to the Formula 1 season, celebrating champions and marking key administrative milestones. Norris's trophy presentation solidifies his historic first title, while Verstappen's absence underscores the human element behind the drivers. Most significantly, the confirmation of a new Concorde Agreement provides crucial stability and outlines the financial and sporting framework as the sport heads into a major regulatory shift in 2026.

The details:

• Norris's Night: The McLaren driver was presented with his World Champion's trophy, the capstone of a breakout season. The ceremony featured a lighthearted moment where FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem jokingly threatened to "fine" Norris for an expletive uttered during his emotional acceptance speech.
• Verstappen's Absence: The four-time champion was unable to attend the gala due to illness. Red Bull Racing confirmed his absence, and Verstappen subsequently issued a personal apology for missing the key season-finale event.
• Concorde Agreement Finalized: After prolonged negotiations, all parties have agreed to a new Concorde Agreement. This contract governs the commercial rights, revenue distribution, and key regulatory principles between the FIA, Formula 1, and the competing teams, and is essential for long-term planning.

What's next:

With the 2025 season ceremonially concluded and the sport's foundational contract secured, the focus now shifts entirely to the future. Teams will accelerate their development for the 2026 season, which will introduce new chassis and power unit regulations. The new Concorde Agreement provides the financial certainty needed for teams to invest in these next-generation cars, setting the stage for a potentially dramatic reshuffle of the competitive order.