2025 Formula 1 champion Lando Norris has been featured on TIME Magazine‘s prestigious 100 Most Influential People list for 2026.
The McLaren driver, who claimed his maiden F1 drivers’ championship title at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after an intense battle with his team-mate Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, is joined by an exclusive group of ‘global leaders, artists, innovators, icons, titans and pioneers’.
Norris is featured in the “Innovators” category of the 2026 TIME 100 list and is one of only six sporting figures to be recognised this year. He shares the spotlight with golfer Scottie Scheffler, athlete Noah Lyles, snowboarder Chloe Kim, figure skater Alysa Liu and ice hockey player Hilary Knight.
As is tradition for the TIME 100, each person’s entry on the list is penned by a guest author. Norris’s entry was written by American entrepreneur and philanthropist Paris Hilton.
“I first met Lando Norris at F1 Miami, and I instantly loved his energy,” she wrote. “He’s obviously incredibly talented, but what really makes him stand out is how kind, genuine, and down-to-earth he is.
Lando Norris, McLaren
Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
“Even with all the pressure of the spotlight, he stays grounded, which is rare. Watching him become world champion in 2025 was honestly amazing—so well deserved, and such a major moment.
“I’ve also seen him with fans at races, and it’s very special. He takes the time to connect with everyone, and you can tell it truly means something to him. He’s so fun, warm, and approachable. I love that he’s inspiring so many people by showing that you can work hard, reach the top, and still stay completely true to yourself.”
Beyond the sporting figures included in the list, it also includes US president Donald Trump, Pope Leo XIV, Canadian prime minister Mark Carney, musicians Hilary Duff, Noah Kahan and Luke Combs and YouTuber MrBeast.
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