Dec. 7, 2025. The Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This race saw McLaren driver Lando Norris crowned the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Champion, but it also marked an outburst of hatred toward the British driver on social media. 

F1 fans across the globe quickly took to social media to claim Norris’ world title was undeserved, having had a close battle with his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and Redbull driver Max Verstappen. Following Verstappen’s first-place finish during the ultimate race of the season, Norris was crowned champion by only a two-point margin over the Dutch driver. 

As a Norris fan myself, I can admit the British driver had some lucky moments throughout the season that gave him a slight points advantage over his competitors. For instance, McLaren implemented team orders to give Norris back a position over Piastri following the team’s pitstop error, giving Norris a several point advantage over his teammate.

This does not mean, however, that the British driver was completely undeserving of his maiden championship. And it certainly does not mean that fans of other drivers, like Verstappen and Piastri, need to send hate towards Norris for his win. All three of these drivers, as well as the rest of the drivers on the F1 grid have worked their entire lives to achieve their dream of racing in the esteemed series, with only a few ever reaching their goal of becoming a world champion.

The hatred present within the F1 community is not solely directed to seasoned drivers with Norris winning the 2025 championship in his seventh season; it is also directed toward young rookies. During the final laps of the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli made a mistake in Turn 9, ultimately giving up a place to Norris. Following the incident, RedBull advisor Helmut Marko claimed that Antonelli deliberately gave up the position to Norris in an effort to aid Norris in his fight against Verstappen for the title.

Following Marko’s remarks, widespread online abuse ensued, with both the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Mercedes issuing statements in support of Antonelli. Marko later apologized for his comments creating broader abuse towards the rookie, however the damage had already been done. 

Even if Antonelli had deliberately let Norris pass, that decision would’ve been made under the pressure of driving over 200 miles per hour, in the midst of a race. Fans have no control over what drivers do, on and off the track, whether they like it or not.

When it comes down to it, F1 drivers, along with other athletes at various levels of sport, are human, and it is important that we treat them as such. One mistake should not amount to hundreds and thousands of death threats online, just because these drivers are competing at the highest level of motorsport. Next time you sit down to watch an F1 race, or any other sporting event, consider the fact that these athletes are human and make mistakes just like the rest of us.