FIA President Jokes About '€5,000 Fine' for Lando Norris's Swearing at Gala

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem playfully threatened a "€5,000 fine" for newly crowned World Champion Lando Norris after the McLaren driver used an expletive during his acceptance speech at the FIA Prize-Giving Gala in Uzbekistan. The light-hearted moment underscored the celebratory mood as Norris received his first Drivers' Championship trophy.

Why it matters:

The interaction highlights the human and often humorous side of F1's formal ceremonies, balancing the sport's regulations with the raw emotion of a driver achieving a lifelong dream. It also serves as a soft reminder of the FIA's rules on language in professional settings, even as the governing body's president chose camaraderie over penalty for the new champion.

The details:

• Norris, crowned champion after finishing third in the Abu Dhabi GP, admitted in his speech that McLaren had "our fair share of mistakes and f**k ups" during the 2025 season.
• Ben Sulayem responded by quipping "5,000," referencing the FIA's ban on swearing by drivers in official settings, which can carry a financial penalty.
• The FIA President then joked he considered issuing the fine but decided Norris "need[s] it for your hair after I messed it!" after playfully ruffling the champion's hair on stage.
• In his emotional speech, Norris thanked McLaren, teammate Oscar Piastri, and rival Max Verstappen, who was absent due to illness. He reflected on fulfilling a childhood dream and racing against his idols.
• When asked about the season's intensity, Norris again referenced mistakes, quipping, "Can I say that here? Oh, sorry, yeah. I got fined. I can pay it off now!"

The big picture:

Norris's championship, the first for a McLaren driver since Lewis Hamilton in 2008, caps a remarkable journey for the 26-year-old British driver with the team. His candid speech, complete with a mention of getting "extremely drunk" after the race, offered a genuine glimpse into the relief and joy of securing the title after a fierce season-long battle with Piastri and Verstappen.