Norris “PROUD” with 2024 season: “NEXT YEAR WE CAN WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP”…More
Norris “PROUD” with 2024 season: “NEXT YEAR WE CAN WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP”
Since Max Verstappen and Red Bull’s dominant 2021 season, they have largely reigned supreme in Formula 1.
While many anticipated 2024 to follow the same pattern, McLaren and Lando Norris emerged as serious contenders.
Though Norris fell short of winning the drivers’ championship, McLaren clinched their first constructors’ title since 1998, marking an extraordinary resurgence for the team.
McLaren’s revival seemed improbable at the start of the 2023 season.
At the Bahrain Grand Prix, the team was at the back of the grid, with Norris finishing last among the classified cars and two laps behind race-winner Verstappen.
However, their fortunes began to shift dramatically at the British Grand Prix.
Equipped with significant upgrades at Silverstone, McLaren transformed into a frontrunning team, setting the stage for their competitive 2024 campaign.
Building on this momentum, McLaren entered the 2024 season with renewed pace, enabling Norris to challenge Verstappen for the title.
The breakthrough came at the Miami Grand Prix, where Norris claimed his maiden F1 victory, proving both his and McLaren’s championship potential.
Their fight lasted until the penultimate race in Las Vegas, as Norris and Verstappen engaged in thrilling battles throughout the season.
Collisions in races like Austria, the United States, and Mexico, coupled with reliability issues for Red Bull’s RB20, kept the title race alive.
However, Norris’ occasional mistakes and Verstappen’s brilliance under pressure ultimately secured the Dutchman his fourth consecutive drivers’ championship in Las Vegas.
Reflecting on the season, Norris expressed pride in McLaren’s remarkable progress.
Speaking to GPblog and other outlets, he acknowledged the uphill battle they faced.
“We were the fourth-best team at the beginning of the year. Red Bull has never been in that position, so the deficit we had to overcome was just too large,” Norris explained.
Despite this, he was optimistic about the future, emphasizing that McLaren now had the tools to contend for the title from the outset in 2025.
“Next year, we’ll have a car we believe can win the championship from round one,” Norris continued.
“We haven’t had that opportunity for the past six years, so I’m excited for what’s ahead. But I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished this season.”
Although McLaren’s car often outperformed Red Bull’s RB20 in the latter half of the season, Verstappen’s exceptional talent proved decisive.
Time and again, the Dutchman delivered stunning performances when it seemed nearly impossible, solidifying his status as one of F1’s all-time greats.
Norris acknowledged Verstappen’s unmatched ability but took solace in being his closest rival.
“No one else was fighting him—it was just me and McLaren,” Norris remarked.
While admitting McLaren could have done some things better, he remained realistic.
“Even with a perfect season, I don’t think we could’ve won the championship. So I’m happy to finish second.”
Norris’ sentiments underscored McLaren’s impressive turnaround and laid the foundation for what promises to be an even more competitive 2025 season.
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