Bahrain’s skyline once again glowed papaya orange in celebration of McLaren’s Lando Norris being crowned as Formula One drivers’ world champion after his podium finish in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay and other landmarks were lit up in the famous colour of the McLaren team, owned by Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (Mumtalakat).
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, was present at Yas Marina Circuit in the UAE capital when Norris bagged his drivers’ championship honour on Sunday.
HRH Prince Salman noted that McLaren achieved its first double championship in 27 years, with its win in Abu Dhabi following their success in the Constructors’ Championship in Singapore.
The 26-year-old became only the eighth McLaren ace to win the F1 drivers’ crown, adding to a list of legends that includes Emerson Fittipaldi (winner in 1974), James Hunt (1976), Niki Lauda (1984), Alain Prost (1985, 1986, 1989), Ayrton Senna (1988, 1990, 1991), Mika Hakkinen (1998, 1999), and Lewis Hamilton (2008).
“It’s been a long journey with me and McLaren,” said Norris, who became the 11th Briton to clinch the drivers’ title and is the 35th F1 world champion in history. “I’ve been with (McLaren) for like nine years, and we’ve been through plenty of crazy, difficult times and plenty of good times, so for me to feel like I can bring something back to them…it’s their first drivers’ (title) in many, many years, so I feel like I did my part for the team this year, and I’m very proud of myself for that, but I’m even more proud of everyone that I’ve hopefully made cry!”
British Ambassador Alastair Long praised McLaren’s Norris for winning the F1 world drivers’ title in a social media post, featuring Bahrain’s skyline illuminated in McLaren’s signature Papaya orange. “Congratulations to Lando Norris, a British driver winning the F1 Drivers’ Championship in a British car, McLaren, but McLaren owned by Bahrain, and here in the kingdom such is the support for McLaren that they immediately light the buildings in orange, as you can see behind me,” said Mr Long.
Norris also climbed the podium 18 times in 2025 – the most in a single season by a McLaren driver – and powered to seven pole positions.
McLaren also set a new record in 2025 for the team’s most podiums in a single season at 34, while taking 13 poles and posting 12 fastest laps.
McLaren’s papaya orange livery is one of the most recognisable paint schemes on the modern Formula 1 grid. This signature colour didn’t simply come about because it looked good. In fact, it was one of the motorsport’s earliest and most brilliant marketing decisions, according to motorsport.com.
With Ferrari’s famous red already taken, the team adopted what would become the legendary papaya orange.
The colour first raced in F1 at 1968’s Race of Champions, won by founder Bruce McLaren himself in the famous McLaren M7A, beginning the legacy that has fought for the front of the grid since.
He actually painted it papaya because he wanted it to stand out in black and white television, because it kind of reflected differently than other colours.
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