Formula 1 is in meltdown today after world champion Lando Norris dropped a devastating personal bombshell: the 26-year-old McLaren superstar has reportedly SPLIT from his gorgeous Portuguese model girlfriend Margarida Corceiro – just weeks after she planted a tear-soaked victory kiss on him in Abu Dhabi as he clinched his maiden world title in the most dramatic season finale in years.

Sources close to the couple have told the Daily Mail the on-off romance that captivated the paddock has finally hit the buffers, with Lando overheard bluntly telling fellow driver Carlos Sainz Jr he is now a “single man” during pre-season testing in Bahrain.

The news has sent shockwaves through the F1 world – coming at the worst possible time as the sport prepares for its biggest rule shake-up in decades. For Lando, the man who fought tooth and nail to beat Max Verstappen by a mere TWO POINTS to become 2025 champion, the timing could hardly be more painful… or more distracting.

“This is a proper gut punch for Lando,” one close friend revealed exclusively last night. “Margarida was his rock through the toughest championship battle of his life. But the pressure of defending a title, the endless travel, the new 2026 cars… something had to give. They’re both devastated, but it was mutual.”

The split – first hinted at in a leaked TikTok video from the Bahrain paddock – marks the latest twist in a rollercoaster romance that began in 2023, survived one major breakup in 2024, reignited spectacularly in 2025, and now appears to be over for good.

From Monaco sparks to Abu Dhabi tears: The full, glamorous story of Lando and Magui’s turbulent love affair

Margarida Corceiro – known to her 1.2 million Instagram followers as Magui – is no stranger to the spotlight. The 22-year-old Portuguese beauty is a successful model, actress and social media star who previously dated Atletico Madrid and Chelsea footballer João Félix in a high-profile relationship that ended in 2023 amid cheating rumours and a messy love triangle involving another Premier League star.

She and Lando were first spotted together in May 2023 during the glitzy Monaco Grand Prix weekend – the playground of the rich and famous where F1 drivers mingle with A-listers. Paparazzi caught them looking cosy, but the pair kept things firmly under wraps.

For the next 12 months they dated quietly, with Magui becoming a regular (but discreet) face in the McLaren garage. Insiders say Lando, known for his cheeky personality and love of sim racing and golf, found her grounded, fun-loving nature the perfect antidote to the cut-throat world of Formula 1.

But cracks appeared in August 2024. Lando was overheard at an event admitting he was single, and sources confirmed the pair had gone their separate ways after “drifting apart” due to his punishing race schedule and her blossoming acting career in Portugal and Spain.

Fast-forward to May 2025 and the magic was back. Magui was spotted in the McLaren garage at Monaco – the very place their romance began – cheering Lando to a sensational pole position and race win. The reconciliation was sealed with public displays of affection that even the most hardened F1 cynics couldn’t ignore.

From that moment on, she was by his side through the epic 2025 title fight. While Lando and Max Verstappen traded blows in one of the greatest championships in history – Lando coming from behind to snatch the crown by the slimmest of margins in Abu Dhabi – Magui was the calm in the storm.

The emotional climax came on December 7, 2025, when Lando crossed the line as world champion. As the fireworks exploded over Yas Marina, Magui ran to him on the podium, tears streaming down both their faces, and planted a passionate kiss that was beamed around the world. It was pure F1 fairytale – the British underdog finally on top, with his beautiful Portuguese princess by his side.

“Margui was everything to him in that moment,” a McLaren insider tells us. “She’d flown in secretly to surprise him. The kiss wasn’t staged – it was raw emotion after 24 gruelling races, the pressure of fighting Max, the weight of a nation on his shoulders. Everyone in the team thought they’d go the distance.”

The ‘single man’ confession that broke the internet – and how it all unravelled in Bahrain

Fast forward just 10 weeks and the dream has shattered.

During pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit last week, a fan-filmed TikTok captured Lando chatting casually with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr in the paddock. When Sainz asked about Margarida, Lando reportedly replied “No” before adding with a wry smile: “I’m a single man now.”

The clip went viral within hours, racking up millions of views and sparking frenzied speculation. The Sun broke the story exclusively, confirming what paddock insiders had been whispering for days: the relationship is over.

“They’re both young, both ambitious, both at the top of their games,” a source close to Magui explained. “Lando is 100% focused on defending his title in this crazy new 2026 era with active aero, sustainable fuels and completely new car designs. Magui’s acting career is taking off – she’s got big projects lined up in Europe and Hollywood interest. The long-distance thing just became impossible.”

Another friend of the couple added: “They tried to make it work after Abu Dhabi, but the honeymoon period after the championship win faded fast. Lando was straight into simulator work for the new regs. Magui was back in Lisbon for filming. The spark was still there, but the logistics killed it.”

Inside the pressure cooker: How F1 destroyed another glamorous paddock romance

This isn’t the first time the brutal demands of Formula 1 have claimed a high-profile relationship. Lewis Hamilton’s long romance with Nicole Scherzinger eventually buckled under the travel. Daniel Ricciardo’s various flings have rarely lasted. Even Max Verstappen’s early relationships were tested by the constant spotlight.

But for Lando, the timing feels particularly cruel. At 26, he’s finally the man to beat after years as the talented nearly-man. The 2026 regulations promise closer racing, but also huge technical challenges – lighter cars, more electric power, active suspension. McLaren boss Zak Brown has already said the team expects Lando to lead the charge again.

“Being world champion brings a different level of pressure,” says former F1 driver turned pundit David Coulthard. “You’re no longer the hunter – you’re the hunted. Every session, every race, the eyes are on you. If your personal life is rocky, it can affect even the strongest mind.”

Insiders say Lando has thrown himself into work even harder since the split. He’s been spotted staying late in the McLaren garage, poring over data with engineers, and spending extra hours in the simulator at the team’s Woking HQ.

“He’s hurting, but he’s channelling it,” one team source reveals. “This is classic Lando – when life gets tough, he drives faster.”

What now for Magui? The model-actress with a footballing past and a glittering future

Margarida, who boasts a string of modelling campaigns for Intimissimi and acting roles in Portuguese and Spanish productions, has remained silent on social media since the rumours exploded. Her last post – a glamorous beach shot from a luxury holiday with friends – has been liked by over 300,000 people, many leaving sympathetic comments.

Her ex, João Félix, has also stayed quiet, though sources say the pair remain on good terms despite their messy 2023 split that involved allegations of infidelity.

“Magui is a strong, independent woman,” a friend in Lisbon tells the Daily Mail. “She’s not defined by her relationships. Yes, she loved Lando deeply – the Abu Dhabi kiss was real – but she’s got her own path. Expect to see her thriving on screen and on the catwalk this year.”

Paddock reactions: Shock, sympathy and a touch of envy

The news has dominated conversation in the Bahrain paddock as teams prepare for the first race of the new era in Melbourne next month.

Max Verstappen – the man Lando pipped to the 2025 title – reportedly sent his rival a supportive text, according to Dutch sources. The two drivers have developed a grudging respect after their epic on-track battles.

Charles Leclerc joked in a Ferrari team meeting: “Poor Lando – single just as the new cars arrive. More time for qualifying laps!”

Even Carlos Sainz, the unwitting star of the viral video, played it down: “We’re all friends here. Lando is focused on racing – that’s what matters.”

McLaren have refused to comment officially, but team principal Andrea Stella told reporters: “Lando is a professional. His personal life is his own, but we support him fully as he prepares for what will be a fascinating season.”

Back in the UK, Lando’s army of fans – the so-called “Lando Lovers” – are divided. Some are heartbroken for the couple they dubbed “LanGui”, posting emotional tributes on TikTok and Instagram. Others are already speculating about potential new girlfriends, with names like singer Tate McRae and various models being thrown around.

The 2026 factor: Why this split could actually help Lando defend his crown

With the new regulations promising to shake up the grid – active aerodynamics, a bigger emphasis on electric power, and a host of new or returning races including a potential African Grand Prix – every driver is under pressure.

Insiders at McLaren believe the split, while painful, might actually sharpen Lando’s focus.

“Last year he had the title to chase and a girlfriend to impress,” says one senior engineer. “Now it’s just him, the car and the championship. That single-mindedness is what made him champion in the first place.”

Lando himself has always been open about mental health and the pressures of F1. In interviews after winning the title he spoke movingly about the “lonely” side of success and how important support networks are.

Whether he and Magui can find their way back to each other – like they did in 2025 – remains to be seen. History suggests they’re a couple who can’t stay apart for long.

But for now, as the new cars fire up for the first time in anger, Lando Norris is flying solo.

The king of McLaren has lost his queen… but the chessboard of F1 has never looked more exciting.

Will the heartbreak fuel another title charge? Or will the ghosts of Abu Dhabi linger into the new era?

The entire motorsport world is watching.