AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

Lando Norris Reflects on ‘Far-Fetched’ Title Hopes as McLaren Basks in Championship Glory

Virgilio Machado by Virgilio Machado
December 16, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Lando Norris Reflects on ‘Far-Fetched’ Title Hopes as McLaren Basks in Championship Glory

Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 8, 2024 McLaren's Lando Norris celebrates after winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix REUTERS/Amr Alfiky

Lando Norris, now officially recognized as the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship runner-up, has admitted that chasing down Max Verstappen for the title was always a tall order. Speaking at the FIA Prize Giving ceremony in Rwanda, Norris candidly assessed his season, acknowledging that while the dream of dethroning Verstappen flickered, it was never truly within reach.

“We Tried, But Max Was Too Strong”

Verstappen’s dominant start to the season, claiming seven wins in the first 10 races, seemed insurmountable. However, as the Red Bull driver went on an uncharacteristic 10-race winless streak, Norris’s impressive performances reignited whispers of a title battle. Cutting the deficit to 47 points heading into the Brazilian Grand Prix, Norris still needed a miracle.

“I was never close enough to Max,” Norris confessed. “If anyone thought I was going to get it, that was probably a little far-fetched. But at the same time, we tried for as long as possible — I tried.”

Norris capped off a stellar season with a triumphant win in Abu Dhabi, clinching the Constructors’ Championship for McLaren alongside his teammate Oscar Piastri. It marked a monumental achievement for the Woking-based team, ending a 26-year championship drought.

McLaren’s Meteoric Rise: A Team Effort

McLaren CEO Zak Brown heaped praise on his drivers and the entire team for orchestrating one of the most dramatic turnarounds in F1 history.

“Andrea has done an unbelievable job leading this racing team, we have two awesome racing drivers, as we’ve said from the word go, and all the men and women at McLaren have done a wonderful job,” Brown said.

The battle with Ferrari for the Constructors’ title added to the drama, with McLaren ultimately prevailing by just 14 points. Brown paid respect to Ferrari’s relentless challenge, saying, “If you had one team to pick to go down to the last lap with, Ferrari would be it — and they did an unbelievable job. They kept us honest the whole way through.”

Stella’s Vision Comes to Fruition

For team principal Andrea Stella, the championship represented more than just a triumph on the track; it was a validation of years of rebuilding and innovation. Reflecting on the team’s journey from a disastrous start in 2023 to championship glory in 2024, Stella called the achievement “unprecedented.”

“This championship means taking McLaren to success after 26 years,” Stella said. “We had zero points, last in the classification, and now 666 and world champions.”

Stella, who was part of Ferrari’s dominant run in the mid-2000s, noted how different this victory felt. “It’s different because of the role and because it’s unprecedented how rapidly we evolved,” he said.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As McLaren celebrates its Constructors’ Championship, Norris and Piastri are already gearing up for another shot at glory in 2025. With Verstappen likely to return stronger than ever and Ferrari, Mercedes, and Aston Martin hungry for redemption, McLaren will need to sustain its rapid evolution to remain at the top.

For Norris, this season has solidified his status as a championship-caliber driver. And while 2024 may not have delivered the ultimate prize, it laid the groundwork for what could be a defining moment in his career.

“Being second isn’t where we want to end up,” Norris said. “We’ve shown what we’re capable of, and next year, we’ll go even harder.”

Share212Tweet133Send

Related Posts

Lewis Hamilton Roars to Victory, Max Verstappen Stumbles: British Grand Prix Drama Unfolds
Motorsports

Lewis Hamilton Roars to Victory, Max Verstappen Stumbles: British Grand Prix Drama Unfolds

Formula One F1 - British Grand Prix - Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Britain - July 4, 2025 Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton during...

by Redação
July 4, 2025
Tim Mayer seeks vengeance against Mohammed Ben Sulayem in explosive FIA Presidential showdown
Motorsports

Tim Mayer seeks vengeance against Mohammed Ben Sulayem in explosive FIA Presidential showdown

Tim Mayer is making waves in the motorsport world with his bold bid for the FIA Presidency, challenging the incumbent...

by Carl Harrison
July 4, 2025
Lewis Hamilton Dominates British GP Practice – Rookie Lindblad’s Bold Move Shakes F1 World
Motorsports

Lewis Hamilton Dominates British GP Practice – Rookie Lindblad’s Bold Move Shakes F1 World

Formula One F1 - British Grand Prix - Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Britain - July 4, 2025 Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton before...

by Redação
July 4, 2025
Lewis Hamilton Dominates British Grand Prix 2025 F1 Practice in Stellar Home Triumph
Motorsports

Lewis Hamilton Dominates British Grand Prix 2025 F1 Practice in Stellar Home Triumph

Formula One F1 - British Grand Prix - Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Britain - July 4, 2025 Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton during...

by Virgilio Machado
July 4, 2025

Recent News

Fiat 500 híbrido: produção prevista para arrancar em novembro

The hybrid Fiat 500 will be produced in Italy starting in November.

July 4, 2025
Lewis Hamilton Roars to Victory, Max Verstappen Stumbles: British Grand Prix Drama Unfolds

Lewis Hamilton Roars to Victory, Max Verstappen Stumbles: British Grand Prix Drama Unfolds

July 4, 2025
Tim Mayer seeks vengeance against Mohammed Ben Sulayem in explosive FIA Presidential showdown

Tim Mayer seeks vengeance against Mohammed Ben Sulayem in explosive FIA Presidential showdown

July 4, 2025
Lewis Hamilton Dominates British GP Practice – Rookie Lindblad’s Bold Move Shakes F1 World

Lewis Hamilton Dominates British GP Practice – Rookie Lindblad’s Bold Move Shakes F1 World

July 4, 2025

Newsletter

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Enable Notifications OK No thanks