Lando Norris delivered McLaren a first Formula One constructors’ title since 1998 yesterday and said next year was going to be his turn at the top.
The Briton won the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from pole position, racing untroubled from start to finish as McLaren chief executive Zak Brown endured 58 laps of nervous agony on the pitwall.
“You all deserve this. Thank you so much. It’s been a special year,” said Norris over the team radio after taking the chequered flag.
“Next year is going to be my year too.”
The 25-year-old expanded on that later in pre-podium comments – once he had told everyone that he and Brown were going to celebrate by getting “absolutely hammered” with the team.
“We want to win the constructors’, we want to win the drivers’ next year,” he said.
“I made my mistakes this year, but I’ve learned a lot, and I’ve learned a lot from (Red Bull’s four times champion) Max (Verstappen) and my competitors around me. As much as I’m happy now, I’m excited to get next year going.”
McLaren’s constructors’ title lifted them joint-second on nine with Williams in the all-time lists, behind only Ferrari who have 16.
It was also their first title of any sort since Lewis Hamilton’s first drivers’ crown in 2008.
The last time they were Formula One’s top team was with Finland’s Mika Hakkinen when Ron Dennis was in charge, a different era – before either Norris or teammate Oscar Piastri were born.
WE’VE DONE IT! 2024 CONSTRUCTORS’ CHAMPIONS!, Brown wrote on LinkedIn.
“What an incredible TEAM achievement!
“This one’s for Mansour.
“This one’s for Gil.
“And this one is for everyone that has supported us. Our great partners, our awesome team members and their families, and the millions of amazing McLaren fans who have dreamed about this moment. I know I did.”
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