F1 News Today: Lando Norris Pushes Back Against Final Team Order as Newly Crowned Champion
Lando Norris, fresh from clinching his first ever Formula 1 World Championship, created one final moment of tension with his McLaren team during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — but this time, it unfolded after the chequered flag. The British driver, who needed only a third-place finish at Yas Marina to finally seal the title he had fought for all season, found himself at odds with a request from his long-time race engineer, Will Joseph, in the immediate aftermath of the race.
Despite Max Verstappen winning the Grand Prix, the Dutchman’s triumph wasn’t enough to overturn the small points gap Norris held going into the finale. A calm and controlled drive from Norris ensured that his podium finish secured the championship by the narrowest of margins. Relief swept through the McLaren garage, and celebrations erupted — but the champion himself had one more idea in mind.
Over the past decade in Formula 1, it has become something of a tradition for newly crowned World Champions to mark their victory lap with celebratory donuts. These tyre-screeching spins are considered a symbolic expression of joy, a dance between man, machine, and moment — and fans live for it. Drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, and Verstappen have all indulged in the ritual during their championship-winning races. Naturally, Norris wanted to join that illustrious list.
However, McLaren had other thoughts.
As Norris approached the final sector on his cooldown lap, engineer Will Joseph radioed in with a polite but firm instruction: no donuts. The message was clear — the team did not want him to risk damaging the car. Even after the race is over, spinning the car can cause mechanical strain, especially on the gearbox and engine, which must often be handed over to the FIA for post-race inspection. Teams generally prefer to avoid any unnecessary risks, particularly when a championship is on the line.
But Norris, caught in the emotion of securing his maiden title, wasn’t entirely willing to obey. Joseph’s voice was calm yet almost pleading, reminding him that the team preferred he skip the donuts. Still, Norris chose to follow his heart — and the long-held tradition — rather than the cautious guidance coming from the pit wall.
He went ahead and performed the celebratory spins anyway.
To the crowd at Yas Marina, the decision was met with thunderous cheers. Fans witnessing history weren’t going to complain about a few extra clouds of tyre smoke. But the moment simultaneously highlighted Norris’ occasionally stubborn streak — the same competitive fire that carried him through the 2025 season and ultimately helped him dethrone one of the most dominant drivers the sport has ever seen.
It’s not the first time Norris has pushed back on a team instruction, though usually such disagreements happen under intense racing conditions rather than during victory celebrations. Still, the dynamic between Norris and Joseph has always been one built on honesty and direct communication. Their relationship spans years of ups and downs, breakthrough performances, and near misses. This small disagreement seemed more like a moment of comic timing than genuine conflict.
In fact, as soon as Norris completed his donuts, radio messages hinted that Joseph and the team eventually took it in good humour. After all, it’s not every day a driver delivers a World Championship — something McLaren hasn’t experienced since the era of Lewis Hamilton in 2008. For a team that has worked tirelessly to rebuild its competitiveness, Norris’ championship marks a monumental milestone.
The celebratory moment also symbolised a change in the guard. Verstappen, who had held the championship for four straight years, finally met a challenger capable of breaking the streak. The 2025 season was one of intense battles, strategic rivalries, and momentum swings. Norris’ eventual triumph is being seen by many as the beginning of a new chapter in Formula 1.
While the headlines may focus on Norris ignoring the final team order, the bigger picture reflects his passion, confidence, and growth into a champion. The donuts were more than just a rebellious gesture — they were a statement of arrival. After years of being touted as one of the most talented drivers on the grid, Norris finally has the title to his name.
