McLaren Nixes Woking Celebration for Champion Lando Norris

Despite clinching his first Formula 1 championship in 2025, Lando Norris will not be celebrating with a Woking street run, breaking a tradition set by Mika Häkkinen in 1998. McLaren has confirmed that the team's intense focus on preparing for the all-new 2026 regulations leaves no time for a local celebration. The decision underscores the immense pressure and shift in priorities as the team aims to defend its titles amidst a major technical overhaul.

Why it matters:

The decision to skip a public celebration highlights the relentless, year-round nature of modern Formula 1. For a team like McLaren, still basking in the glory of a hard-fought championship, the immediate pivot to the next season demonstrates the critical importance of the 2026 regulation changes. It's a clear signal that defending their title is a bigger priority than celebrating the last one, potentially disappointing local fans but showing the team's ruthless competitive focus.

The details:

• Mika Häkkinen famously celebrated his 1998 title by driving his McLaren through the streets of Woking, a moment etched in F1 history.
• McLaren stated the team is "super busy preparing for the season ahead," with the 2026 car launch scheduled for February 9 in Bahrain.
• The Woking Borough Council had formally requested a celebration, noting the success of a similar event for the 2024 Constructors' Championship, but was turned down.
• Norris's title was a nail-biter, decided by just two points over Max Verstappen at the Abu Dhabi finale, capping off a season where McLaren also secured the constructors' crown.

Looking ahead:

All eyes at McLaren are now firmly on 2026. The new regulations, featuring revised power units and aerodynamics, represent a massive opportunity and risk for all teams. McLaren's decision to forgo a celebration is a testament to how seriously they are taking this challenge. The team will unveil its new challenger on February 9th in Bahrain, where we'll get the first glimpse of whether their intense preparations have paid off.