Rory McIlroy wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Lando Norris finishes third

Lando Norris missed the chance to join an elite group of Formula 1 world champions to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, finishing third behind golfer Rory McIlroy and rugby star Ellie Kildunne. McIlroy, an investor in the Alpine F1 team, secured the prestigious public-voted prize after completing the career grand slam in golf with his victory at the Masters in April.

Why it matters:

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year is one of the UK's most recognized sporting accolades, celebrating individual achievement across all sports. For Norris, a podium finish highlights his breakout 2024 F1 season and growing mainstream popularity, even as he fell short of becoming the first active F1 driver since Lewis Hamilton to win the main award.

The details:

• Rory McIlroy claimed victory after a landmark year, finally winning the Masters to complete a career sweep of golf's four major championships.
• McIlroy, who is part of an investor group in the Alpine F1 team alongside other sports stars like Anthony Joshua and Travis Kelce, also helped Europe secure a narrow Ryder Cup victory.
• Lando Norris, who secured his maiden F1 victory in Miami in 2024, was the only Formula 1 representative among the six shortlisted contenders.
• By finishing third, Norris was in contention to join F1 world champions like Sir Jackie Stewart, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, and Sir Lewis Hamilton as winners of the award.
• Sir Stirling Moss (1961) and John Surtees (1959) are the only other drivers associated with F1 to have won the award.

The big picture:

While Norris did not win, his nomination and high placement signify his arrival as a major British sports star following his most successful F1 season to date. The result also underscores the broad appeal of golf and team sports in the UK public vote, with McIlroy's historic Masters triumph and team success proving decisive over Norris's individual motorsport achievements.