Former champion slams ‘pathetic’ swipe at Norris' 'underdog story'
Photo: Race Pictures
21:01, 11 Dec 2025
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Olly Darcy is an editor at GPblog, specializing in Formula 1 news. With a background in sports journalism, he delivers timely and reliable coverage of the sport.
Damon Hill has branded a swipe at Lando Norris' 'underdog story as "pathetic" in a rant on social media.
"Oh, Sweet Jesus. I didn't expect this from you guys."- Damon Hill
The McLaren driver sealed his maiden World Championship in a thrilling season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, beating Max Verstappen by just two points to stop the Dutchman's four-year title reign.
However, BBC satirical show 'Have I Got News For You' mocked the privileged background of the Brit after his championship win.
"Lando Norris’ World Championship win is a true Formula One underdog story: he came from relative poverty, with his parents struggling to make ends meet on less than a billion pounds," was what the show wrote on their X account.
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Adam Norris, Lando Norris' father, is believed to have a net worth of around £200 million - Photo: Race Pictures
Norris' father, Adam Norris, is believed to have a net worth of around £200 million, ranking 610th on the 2022 Sunday Times Rich List.
Hill had a vicious response to the show's social media post: "Oh, Sweet Jesus. I didn't expect this from you guys. Really? Pathetic.
"The kid literally had no life other than racing and working towards winning. So we should all start in the slums, should we? Like you did. Eh? Let's have a closer look at your story....."
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There were plenty of replies to Hill's response, with one stating: "They’re not wrong though, this is a sport for a very rich few.”
Hill then bluntly responded to this with a one-sentence answer: "No, it's not."
Norris and Stella return to the factory
For the first time since becoming World Champion, Norris, along with team principal Andrea Stella, returned to the McLaren Technology Centre.
The Brit had plenty of praise for each and every worker of the papaya-coloured team, while also mentioning the season-long battle he shared with teammate Oscar Piastri, who finished third in the championship standings.
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Stella also spoke to the many people at the MTC, stating that they were able to 'stop Max Verstappen's dominance' in the 'McLaren way'.
Lando Norria and Andrea Stella at the McLaren Technology Centre - Photo: McLaren
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