Lando Norris has been conspicuously omitted from the 2025 New Years Honours list, despite securing Britain's first Formula One world championship since Lewis Hamilton's 2020 triumph.
The McLaren driver's absence marks a departure from long-standing convention, which has traditionally seen British champions recognised with royal honours following their maiden title victories.
The reason behind this unexpected exclusion remains unclear.
Norris claimed the drivers' championship this season, becoming only the fourth British world champion in the modern era to miss out on immediate recognition through the honours system.
The 26-year-old secured the title following an intense season-long contest with his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen.
Norris ultimately prevailed by the slimmest of margins, finishing just two points ahead of Verstappen, the former world champion from the Netherlands.
The championship battle went down to the wire, with all three drivers remaining in contention throughout the campaign.
Lando Norris has been conspicuously omitted from the 2025 New Years Honours list, despite securing Britain's first Formula One world championship since Lewis Hamilton's 2020 triumph
|REUTERS
His victory ended Verstappen's grip on the title and marked a return to championship glory for McLaren, while also establishing him as Britain's newest world champion following Hamilton's success five years earlier.
Previous British Formula One champions have customarily received honours following their inaugural title successes.
Damon Hill was recognised in 1996, while Hamilton received his MBE in 2008 and Jenson Button was honoured in 2009.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
F1 facts fans might not know | GETTY/GBNEWSHamilton later received a knighthood in 2020 for his contributions to motorsport and diversity.
The omission represents another significant accolade that has eluded Norris this year. He also missed out on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, which was claimed by golfer Rory McIlroy.
Speaking after his title triumph at the start of the month, Norris was visibly emotional.
The F1 star broke down in tears and later paid tribute to his parents, who have supported him every step of the way.
"Oh, God, I have not cried in a while," he said.
"It has been a long journey. I want to thank my guys, everyone at McLaren, my parents, my mum, my dad, they are the ones who have supported me since the beginning."
Lando Norris kissed his girlfriend after winning the F1 title earlier this month
| REUTERSHe continued: "It feels amazing. I now know what Max feels like a little bit, and I want to congratulate Max and Oscar.
"It has been a pleasure and an honour to race against them this season.
"It has been a long year but we did it and I am so proud of everyone.
"It was a long race until the end and we have seen anything can happen in Formula One so I kept pushing until the last two laps.
"I wanted to fight to the end and that is what we have had to do this season. Max and Oscar did not make my life easy this year but I am happy."
Norris is currently enjoying a well-deserved rest. The 2026 F1 season will commence on March 8, with the first race of the campaign due to take place in Melbourne, Australia.