McLaren celebrates Norris Championship at MTC

The McLaren Formula 1 Team gathered to honour Norris, who received a Champion’s welcome on his arrival, with staff forming a guard of honour to mark the team’s first Drivers’ Championship triumph since 2008. The occasion brought together race team members, factory staff and senior management to formally recognise a season that delivered both Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships for the Woking outfit.

As part of the celebrations, McLaren showcased the MP4-23 chassis driven by Lewis Hamilton to secure the 2008 Drivers’ Championship, displayed alongside a showcar of the 2025 MCL39 on the Boulevard. The pairing underlined the historical significance of the moment, connecting the team’s latest success with its last Drivers’ title 17 years earlier.

Speeches from Team Principal Andrea Stella and Norris formed the centrepiece of the event, with both figures using the opportunity to thank the wider organisation for its contribution across a demanding campaign. The celebration concluded with a toast and a video message from McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, who extended his thanks to the team and its partners for their role in the championship-winning season.

Addressing the team at the MTC, Stella emphasised the collective nature of McLaren’s achievement and the resilience shown during difficult phases of the 2025 season.

“In 2025, we are Constructors’ and Drivers’ World Champions. Well done, everyone. History is made by a team. I would like to express the full extent of my gratitude to everyone in the team and to our families for their support during this journey,” Stella said.

He highlighted that the manner in which McLaren achieved its success was as significant as the titles themselves, pointing to the competitive environment at the sharp end of the championship fight.

“I am very proud, not only of the achievements, but also of how we got here. We did it in the McLaren way. The 2025 season will be remembered in Formula 1 also because we had three drivers in contention at the final race of the season, two of whom are McLaren drivers, which is pretty unique in Formula 1. This is something that does not happen often,” Stella explained.

Stella also placed McLaren’s success in the context of recent competitive cycles within the sport, noting the significance of ending Red Bull and Max Verstappen’s run of dominance.

“On top of that, we should not forget that in a sport characterised by eras, we were the ones who succeeded in stopping Verstappen’s dominance, and we did it as a team,” he said.

Reflecting on the decisive Abu Dhabi finale, Stella added that while the chequered flag moments were unforgettable, the emotional impact of the achievement crystallised back at the factory.

“We will all remember when Oscar and then Lando crossed the line in Abu Dhabi. It’s a moment which will stay in our memory forever. But the full realisation of what we achieved for me came when I returned to the factory and saw the rest of the team members,” Stella said.

For Norris, the celebration marked his first return to Woking as a Formula 1 World Champion, an experience he described as deeply personal and rooted in the support of those around him.

“It’s unbelievable to be here as a Drivers’ World Champion. It’s been my dream since all those years ago, watching on TV and wondering what it’s like to be there one day, with no idea about what it takes, and what it could mean to everyone, not just to me,” Norris said.

He stressed that the title was the product of a collective effort, extending beyond the race team to include family, friends and long-term supporters.

“One of the things that’s most important to me has been the people who helped get us to this point. Whether it’s my family, friends, management, trainer, but also the people who design, create and build the car, my mechanics, and my engineers,” he explained.

Norris said the emotional highlight of the achievement was witnessing the reaction of the team itself, underlining the connection between driver and organisation.

“What puts a smile on my face is seeing the team’s reaction. That’s my biggest motivation. It means nothing without the people who helped you achieve it,” he said.

He also paid tribute to teammate Oscar Piastri, acknowledging the role their on-track rivalry and cooperation played throughout the past 3 seasons.

“Racing alongside Oscar the last 3 seasons has pushed me a lot more. He’s played a massive part in this. He’s been my teammate, and we’ve helped each other. He’s made the journey better, with an incredible fight right to the very end,” Norris said.

Closing his remarks, Norris offered a final message of thanks to the entire McLaren organisation.

“I would like to say a big thank you from the bottom of my heart to every single person in the team. Everyone plays a part in our story. I will remember it for the rest of my life. Here’s to many more,” he said.

The MTC celebration capped a landmark season for McLaren, with the team now turning its attention to sustaining its championship-winning momentum into the next Formula 1 campaign.