Norris answers our questions on his Autosport Awards memories

Lando Norris has reflected on his Autosport Awards memories ahead of becoming the inaugural Autosport Champion to honour his 2025 Formula 1 world title success.

The McLaren driver beat Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri to become F1 world champion and he is now the second Autosport BRDC Young Driver winner to clinch the title.

Norris won the award that is dedicated to young British drivers in 2016, and 1998 recipient Jenson Button was the first to go on to become F1 world champion when he clinched the 2009 crown with Brawn.

Now 10 years after Norris’ success, he returns to the Autosport Awards ceremony this evening at London’s Roundhouse and he has reflected on his memories of the night.

What is your fondest memory of Autosport Awards?

Lando Norris: I’d probably say coming here in 2016 and receiving the BRDC Young Driver Award was quite a big moment for me. I’d had a good season that year, winning a couple of different series’ and making my FIA Formula 3 debut, so to end the year by being nominated and receiving the award in front of so many people I looked up to at the time was pretty special.

The test at Silverstone that came with the nomination was really fun as well. Getting to jump from a Formula 2 car into something that drives completely differently like a DTM Mercedes or a GT3 McLaren was mega.

Lando Norris, Autosport Awards

Photo by: LAT Images

Can you remember what emotions you felt when you won the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver Award?

LN: It was quite a long time ago now so I couldn’t tell you exactly what emotion I felt in that exact moment, but receiving the award was something that I was very proud of.

If you could speak to the Lando Norris who attended the Awards the night you won the Young Driver Award, what would you say to him?

LN: Just to enjoy every moment. In racing the years can go by quick, especially when you’re moving up through the categories with the goal to get to F1. It’s not easy to take time and realise how special all those moments along the way are when you’re always working towards the next goal. It’s something I’ve gotten much better at as I’ve gotten older, but I do wish I was able to enjoy those moments in the journey a little bit more when I was younger.

Having had time to reflect on your F1 world title triumph, how did you process the achievement of fulfilling a lifelong dream?

LN: It’s taken a while for it to fully sink in. Becoming a world champion in Formula 1 is a dream I worked towards since I was seven-years-old. It’s hard to describe how it feels for that to have actually come true 20 years later, but it was pretty incredible.

Lando Norris, McLaren

Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images

Now almost a decade on from the Young Driver Award, you are being honoured as inaugural Autosport Champion. What does that mean to you?

LN: It’s an honour to be receiving the Autosport Champion award. Ten years ago, I stood here as a kid with a dream of reaching Formula 1. To be back at the awards 10 years later, being recognised for becoming world champion is something I’m very proud of.

Do you have a message you wish to share with your fans at Autosport Awards?

LN: Just a big thank you. They’ve been along the journey with me and showed their support every step of the way. I hope they’ve been able to enjoy these last few months, and I’ll keep doing everything I can to give them reasons to celebrate.