First win since becoming F1 champions: Current grid edition

Lando Norris won the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix brilliantly, achieving his first win since the 2025 Sao Paulo Grand Prix and also his first as an F1 champion.

Norris is one of four F1 World Champions in the current grid, alongside Lewis Hamilton (seven titles), Max Verstappen (four) and Fernando Alonso (two).

After Norris finally took his first win as reigning champion, let us take a look at when each of the current grid's champions achieved the same feat:

Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso secured his two Formula 1 World Drivers' Championships with Renault in 2005 and 2006.

While his 2006 fight with Ferrari's Michael Schumacher came down to the final race in Brazil, Alonso secured his first championship in 2005 with two races to spare.

After sealing his first title in Brazil, Alonso finished third in Suzuka and then took his first win as an F1 champion in the 2005 Chinese Grand Prix, sealing Renault's first Constructors' title.

Lewis Hamilton

The first of Lewis Hamilton's seven titles (joint-record) came in 2008, with McLaren.

Hamilton won the championship in the final race, a dramatic 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix. However, the following season had a rough start for McLaren.

With the number 1 on his car, Hamilton finally managed to take his first win as a champion in the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix, starting from fourth on the grid.

The win came after a five-race streak of scoreless outings, and it was also his first podium since becoming an F1 champion.

Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen won four titles in a row from 2021 to 2024. He sealed his first championship in the final race of the 2021 season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Dutchman did not have to wait long for his first victory after winning his first title. Though he retired from the first race of the 2022 season, Verstappen took a brilliant win in the 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, his second race as an F1 champion.

Norris' long wait

While Hamilton had to wait 10 races for his first F1 win since becoming champion, it took Lando Norris 11 races.

Norris secured his F1 World Championship in the final race of the 2025 season and took his first win as a Formula 1 champion in his 11th attempt.

Related: Race Report & Results 2026 Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix

About the author

Victor R.

Victor R. López is a Venezuelan journalist from Tumeremo who focuses on Formula 1 and motorsport. He covers driver news, race weekends and key stories from across the sport for F1-Fansite.com.

Related topics