Overview
- Lando Norris’s selection, widely reported Wednesday and Thursday, places the McLaren champion on TIME’s 2026 list with a tribute written by Paris Hilton.
- Norris is the only Formula 1 driver chosen and one of six athletes honored, joining Scottie Scheffler, Noah Lyles, Chloe Kim, Alysa Liu, and Hilary Knight.
- The recognition follows his 2025 F1 world title, which he clinched at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix by two points over Max Verstappen after a season-long fight that also featured teammate Oscar Piastri.
- Coverage notes small inconsistencies across outlets, including differing references to Pope Leo’s regnal number and one report calling Norris the 35th F1 champion.
- TIME 100 has previously featured F1 figures such as Lewis Hamilton in 2020, underscoring how standout drivers can break into broader influence lists beyond sport.