Norris shines but McIlroy prevails: Golf great claims BBC SPOTY

Lando Norris conquered the F1 world title in a season for the ages in 2025, but when it came to Britain’s biggest popularity contest, the McLaren star discovered that even a world champion couldn’t quite climb to the top step.

At Thursday night’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, Norris watched the glittering trophy slip through his fingers — and into the hands of Alpine investor and golfer Rory McIlroy.

Norris was one of six contenders nominated for the headline prize, and history beckoned as a win would have made him the sixth F1 title-winner to add Sports Personality of the Year to his résumé, alongside icons like Sir Jackie Stewart, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and Sir Lewis Hamilton.

Instead, Norris had to settle for third place in the public vote, edged out by England Women’s rugby star Ellie Kildunne, who finished second, and comprehensively beaten by a man who finally solved golf’s most stubborn riddle.

McIlroy’s triumph was built on a year that completed a career grand slam, thanks to his long-awaited Masters victory at Augusta in April. It was the one major that had stubbornly evaded him, until he defeated Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff that sent golf fans – and clearly British voters – into raptures.

From Augusta to Alpine F1

McIlroy’s sporting influence stretches well beyond the fairways. Alongside his on-course success, he is also an investor in the Alpine Formula 1 team, joining a star-studded ownership group that includes boxer Anthony Joshua and NFL superstars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.

The Northern Irishman’s year didn’t stop with the green jacket either. He also picked up the Team of the Year award after helping guide Europe to a narrow Ryder Cup victory over the United States at Bethpage, further strengthening his case with voters.

The result made McIlroy the first golfer to win Sports Personality of the Year since Sir Nick Faldo back in 1989 – elite company, even by his standards.

A Near Miss, Not a Snub

For Norris, the result stings only slightly. Motorsport has a proud, if selective, history at the awards: Sir Stirling Moss was the first F1 driver to win in 1961, while John Surtees claimed the prize in 1959 for his motorcycle world titles before conquering Formula 1 five years later.

• Read also: Norris overlooked as Brundle reveals his standout driver of 2025

Joining that club will have to wait.

Still, a world championship trophy tends to soften the blow. Norris leaves 2025 with F1’s biggest prize already on his shelf – even if the BBC’s famous statuette will have to remain a future ambition, rather than a present reality.

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