Why Lando Norris hasn't received his F1 championship trophy yet

Lando Norris became the 35th Formula 1 world champion in Qatar, but the iconic moment of him holding the championship trophy won't happen until later this week at the FIA's official gala. This delay, a unique quirk in F1, means the physical symbol of the title is withheld until all formalities are settled.

Why it matters:

In most sports, the trophy presentation is the immediate, emotional climax of a championship victory. F1's deliberate separation of the on-track win and the trophy handover underscores the sport's complex regulatory landscape and its emphasis on a unified, global celebration for all its champions, from karting to the pinnacle of motorsport.

The details:

• The FIA Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship trophy is only presented at the annual FIA Prize Giving ceremony, a gala event celebrating champions from all FIA-sanctioned series.
• This year's event is in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where Norris will finally receive the trophy on Friday, with Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri also in attendance.
• The practice serves as a procedural safety net. It ensures all post-race protests are resolved before a trophy is permanently awarded, avoiding the potential embarrassment of having to reclaim it, as was a consideration after the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi finale.
• FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has emphasized the value of the gala, where young karters can interact with the F1 world champion, adding to the event's prestige.

By the numbers:

• The championship trophy itself is a modern creation, commissioned in 1995 at a cost of nearly £50,000.
• It is crafted from sterling silver, enamel, and 24-carat gold, weighing approximately 5kg.
• Its swirling design features the engraved signatures of all 35 world champions, from Giuseppe Farina (1950) to Lando Norris (2025).
• A similarly designed constructors' trophy logs every winning team since Vanwall's first title in 1958.

What's next:

Norris will get his hands on the trophy in Tashkent, keeping it for a year before it is returned ahead of the 2026 champion. The tradition, while unusual compared to other sports, is firmly entrenched in F1's official processes, ensuring the title is conclusively confirmed before its physical symbol is handed over.