Lando Norris has declared “next year is my year” after leading McLaren to the constructors’ championship by winning the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Norris fell short in the drivers’ championship as Max Verstappen sealed a fourth successive title after two rounds, but the Briton ensured McLaren ended 2024 with some silverware.
After team-mate Oscar Piastre dropped from second to the back of the field after colliding with Verstappen at the first corner, prop Norris controlled the race superbly to ensure McLaren canceled out Ferrari’s challenge to win the title for the first time since for: 1998
After taking the checkered flag, Norris congratulated his teammates on the team radio and added: “This has been a special year. Next year will be my year too.”
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Best action from the final race of the 2024 Formula 1 season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
The 25-year-old Briton, who ended up 63 points behind Verstappen at the top of the drivers’ standings, later explained: Sky Sports F1 why is she confident of getting her maiden title in 2025?
“I certainly know I have a lot. There’s no doubt about it, and I’m confident in saying that,” he said.
“I definitely and I think this year I proved that everything is not where it should be, but even since those moments I feel that I have improved a lot in the last quarter of the year and the second half of the year, a huge amount.
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Lando Norris insists he has what it takes to win the title in 2025 after winning in Abu Dhabi.
“I have confidence in myself, which is not normal, and I’m never going to go around screaming like that. But I’m confident that I can fight against Charles and all these other drivers who just as capable of winning championships, even lewis and stuff like that next year.
“So I have what it takes. Yes, I need to improve in areas and some areas are not up to the level they need to be and I’m going to work hard over the winter to improve them, but we will do it and we will fight.”
Piastri is “definitely” targeting the 2025 drivers’ title
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Anthony Davidson was on SkyPad to get a closer look at the crash with Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri at the start of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Norris’s announcement of ambition was notable as McLaren insisted until 2024 that it considers itself and Piastre to be equals and has shown it will be willing to prioritize the hopes of an individual only when it is almost impossible for the other driver to be in the mix. : the title of the drivers.
The Australian managed to match Norris at times, perhaps most memorably when he overtook his team-mate at the start of the Hungarian Grand Prix, before McLaren’s choice of strategy set up a series of team orders that eventually culminated in Piastre claiming his first F1 victory.
asked Sky Sports F1 whether he is also aiming for the drivers’ title next year, Piastre gave an emphatic answer.
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Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri discuss their first-lap clash at the Abu Dhabi GP
“Definitely,” he said. “Hopefully next season we can come out of the blocks strong and challenge from the start.
“I still have some things to work on and improve, but I think it was a good step up from my rookie season.
“So I’m excited for next year, I’m excited for a little break first and then to go again and try to fight for two championships.”
Brown “wouldn’t bet” against Norris for the 2025 title
McLaren chief executive Zac Brown said it was up to his two drivers to “figure that one out” for the 2025 drivers’ title, but admitted he “wouldn’t bet” against Norris.
Brown said Sky Sports F1“That race, he (Norris) carried us. Not to make any mistakes and we were worried about the safety cars, I was worried about everything and he drove flawlessly like he did.
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Zac Brown praises Lando Norris’ drive to win the Constructors’ Championship for McLaren and the important role played by Andrea Stella.
“Then try to repeat the constructors and get the drivers (title). I’ll let Oscar and Lando figure that one out.”
Asked about Norris’ radio message, Brown added:
Brown also admitted it was the “worst two hours” of his life watching his team attempt to end the 26-year constructors’ title reign.
He singled out the McLaren pit crew for special praise as they expertly staged the only stop of the race for Norris to keep him ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who had stopped earlier for a lap.
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Zac Brown says Max Verstappen’s crash with Oscar Piastri didn’t help his team’s nerves as they battled for the constructors’ championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“It was the worst two hours of my life, by far,” Brown said.
“Lando drove great. It’s a shame what happened to Oscar at the start, but the team did a great job. They did a great pit stop.
“And I think I was the only one who was ready to have a heart attack for about two hours.”
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