British pilot Lando Norris won the newcomer of the year category at Prêmio Laureus, in a ceremony held on Monday night, at Madri. Atual Fórmula 1 world champion, the 26-year-old athlete surpassed strong competitors in the vote, including Brazilian tennis player João Fonseca. The award is considered the highest recognition for global sport.
The achievement consolidates the Briton’s rise to prominence on the international motorsport scene. Após debuted in the motorsport elite in 2019, Norris reached the top of the category in the 2025 season by breaking the four-year hegemony of the Dutch Max Verstappen. The world title was the main pillar for his nomination and subsequent victory in the Spanish capital. The Brazilian João Fonseca, although he had a solid season with titles in the ATPs of Buenos Aires and Basileia, did not get the necessary votes to take the trophy.
Lando Norris was not physically present at the gala, but sent a thank you video to the organizers and fans. Ele highlighted the collective work with his team and the honor of appearing alongside legends of the sport he had admired since childhood. The pilot stated that he feels lucky to fulfill dreams that few can achieve in their professional lives.
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Gabriel Araújo ensures Brazilian prominence in Paralympic swimming
Apesar defeated João Fonseca in the revelation category, Brasil took to the main stage with Gabriel Araújo. The swimmer won the award for best athlete with a disability after a historic season in the pools. Ele was the big name at the 2025 Mundial, where he won three gold medals in the 100m backstroke, 200m freestyle and 50m backstroke events.
Gabrielzinho’s trajectory, as he is known, reinforces Brazil’s protagonism in specific categories of Laureus. Além, other Brazilians appeared in this year’s nominations, such as action athletes Rayssa Leal and Yago Dora. However, in this last category, the winner was the North American Chloe Kim, a highlight of international snowboarding.
- Gabriel Araújo: winner in swimming for athletes with disabilities.
- João Fonseca: indicated as a revelation after tennis titles.
- Rayssa Leal: finalist in the action sports category.
- Yago Dora: nominated for performance in world surfing.
Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka are elected the best of the year
The 2026 ceremony also defined the main names in the elite individual categories. Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz won the award for best male athlete of the year, playing at home in front of Madri’s audience. In the women’s sector, Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka confirmed her favoritism and took the best female athlete statuette.
Ambos winners dominated their circuits last season, justifying the choice of Laureus academy members. Alcaraz surpassed names like footballer Ousmane Dembélé and record holder Armand Duplantis. Já Sabalenka won a close contest against Spanish footballer Aitana Bonmatí and American swimmer Katie Ledecky.
Prêmio Laureus uses a voting system that involves press experts from around the world and, in the final phase, living legends of the sport who make up the academy. The relevance of the event attracts the attention of several countries, being broadcast globally.
Lista full list of main category winners in Madri
The event rewarded outstanding teams and returns, as well as social impact actions. Paris Saint-Germain was chosen as the best team of the year after their performance in European football. Já golfer Rory McIlroy received the comeback of the year award, surpassing cases of physical and technical recovery in several sports.
- Melhor Atleta Homem: Carlos Alcaraz (Espanha)
- Melhor Atleta Mulher: Aryna Sabalenka (Bielorrússia)
- Melhor Equipe: Paris Saint-Germain (França)
- Revelação from Ano: Lando Norris (Reino Unido)
- Retorno from Ano: Rory McIlroy (Reino Unido)
- Atleta in Esportes of Ação: Chloe Kim (Estados Unidos)
- Atleta with Deficiência: Gabriel Araújo (Brasil)
- Atleta Jovem: Lamine Yamal (Espanha)
- Inspiração Esportiva: Toni Kroos (Alemanha)
- Esporte to Bem: Proyecto Fútbol Más
Próximos steps and impact of the award on the sports calendar
Lando Norris’s victory comes at a strategic moment in the 2026 Fórmula 1 season. International recognition increases the pressure on the British driver, as he seeks to defend his world title against renewed opponents. Analistas point out that Laureus serves as a prestige barometer that attracts new sponsors and visibility for the brands involved.
Para Brazilians nominated who did not win, the nomination itself is already treated as an important advance. João Fonseca, just 19 years old, emerges as the biggest promise in national tennis in recent decades. Estar among the six best young athletes on the planet puts Brasil once again on the elite map of the sport. The ceremony at Madri closes the cycle of evaluations regarding the previous year’s technical performance.