McLaren Scrap Woking Celebrations for Lando Norris’ Historic F1 Title
Lando Norris’ long-awaited Formula 1 drivers’ championship triumph will not be marked with the traditional public celebrations in Woking, as McLaren have confirmed they will be skipping their usual fan event ahead of the 2026 season.
Norris secured his maiden world title at the final race weekend of the year in December, completing a landmark campaign for the iconic British team. His victory also sealed McLaren’s first championship double since 1998, following their earlier success in the constructors’ standings. It was a moment that firmly ended the team’s long wait for a drivers’ crown and elevated Norris into F1’s elite.
The 25-year-old celebrated the achievement privately with friends and team members shortly after the season finale before heading off for a short winter break. However, hopes of a large-scale public celebration with McLaren supporters have now been dashed due to an unusually busy off-season schedule.
Both Norris and team-mate Oscar Piastri are set to return to the cockpit as early as late January, with McLaren taking part in a five-day shakedown test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The early return to on-track action is part of an expanded testing programme ahead of the sweeping 2026 regulation changes, which introduce major updates to both power units and chassis design.
In total, teams will have access to 11 days of pre-season running. Following the Barcelona test, two official three-day testing sessions will take place in Bahrain in February, giving engineers and drivers limited but crucial preparation time before the season begins.
That intense schedule has forced McLaren to abandon a long-standing tradition. Historically, the team has taken championship trophies to the streets of Woking to celebrate with fans, most famously in 1998 after Mika Häkkinen’s title win. More recently, the town hosted celebrations earlier this year following McLaren’s 2024 constructors’ championship success, an event that drew large crowds and widespread community engagement.
Woking Borough Council had been hopeful of repeating that success. Council leader Ann-Marie Barker wrote to McLaren CEO Zak Brown to congratulate the team and express a desire to host another public event.
“I do hope that we can celebrate this historic achievement locally,” Barker wrote. “February’s town-centre celebration of your 2024 constructors’ championship was a tremendous success, with activities fully booked and exceptional community engagement. We would be delighted to support your future plans so our community can once again share in the pride of your success.”
Despite the enthusiasm from local officials and fans, McLaren ultimately decided the timing was not right. A team spokesperson confirmed to the BBC that no Woking celebrations would take place for Norris’ drivers’ championship this year.
“I’m afraid we won’t be hosting any celebrations in Woking this time unfortunately,” the spokesperson said. “The team are super busy preparing for the season ahead.”
The decision highlights just how demanding the build-up to the 2026 campaign will be. Alongside testing commitments, all 11 teams are also scheduled to host official season launch events in the coming weeks, during which they will unveil their new cars and liveries. With limited time and extensive technical challenges posed by the new regulations, teams are prioritising preparation over public appearances.
The winter break, typically a period of rest for drivers and engineers alike, has been notably shorter this year. The five-day Barcelona shakedown begins on January 26, followed by the first official Bahrain test from February 12 to 14. A second Bahrain session then runs from February 18 to 20, giving teams their final opportunity to refine their packages before competitive action begins.
The 2026 Formula 1 season officially gets underway on March 6, when first practice takes place ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. With expectations high and rivals eager to respond to McLaren’s resurgence, Norris and his team will be fully focused on defending their titles rather than celebrating past success.
While fans in Woking may be disappointed to miss out on a street-party this time around, McLaren’s message is clear: the priority now is staying on top in a new era of Formula 1.
