Alpine F1 investor beats Lando Norris to prestigious sporting prize

Lando Norris has been defeated in his bid to become the sixth Formula 1 world champion to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year, losing to Rory McIlroy.

Norris was one of six contenders for the main award, along with Masters and Ryder Cup winning golfer McIlroy, England Women rugby union star Ellie Kildunne, England Women's footballers Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly, as well as darts world champion, Luke Littler.

McIlroy, who is an investor in the Alpine F1 team along with the likes of boxer Anthony Joshua and Kansas City Chiefs NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, completed the career grand slam of golf with his victory in April's Masters.

McIlroy had previously won the US Open in 2011, the PGA Championship in 2012 and 2014, and the Open Championship in 2014, but success at Augusta had eluded him. 

He defeated Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff. 

McIlroy also claimed success in the team of the year category after helping to guide Europe to a narrow victory over the United States at Bethpage.

He is the first golfer since Sir Nick Faldo in 1989 to win the award.

Norris could have joined fellow F1 world champions Sir Jackie Stewart, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, and Sir Lewis Hamilton in winning the top award, but had to settle for third place, with Kildunne finishing in second.

Sir Stirling Moss was the first F1 driver to win the award, back in 1961, whilst John Surtees, the 1964 F1 world champion, claimed success in 1959, but for his motorcycle world championships.