Lando Norris delivered a masterclass in the final race of the 2024 Formula 1 season, winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from pole position and securing McLaren’s first Constructors’ Championship in 26 years. The 25-year-old Briton led every lap of the race, showcasing calm precision while his team faced a rollercoaster of emotions on the pit wall.
“A Special Year” for McLaren and Norris
“You all deserve this. Thank you so much. It’s been a special year,” Norris said over team radio as he crossed the line to the sound of jubilation from the McLaren garage. Reflecting on a season filled with highs and growth, Norris declared, “Next year is going to be my year too.”
In his pre-podium comments, Norris expressed gratitude and ambition, saying, “We want to win the Constructors’, we want to win the Drivers’ next year. I made my mistakes this year, but I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned from Max [Verstappen] and my competitors. As much as I’m happy now, I’m excited to get next year going.”
McLaren’s Triumphant Return to Glory
McLaren’s Constructors’ title win lifts the team to joint second place with Williams in the all-time rankings with nine championships, behind only Ferrari’s record 16. It is McLaren’s first title of any kind since Lewis Hamilton claimed his maiden Drivers’ Championship in 2008 and their first as F1’s top team since Mika Hakkinen’s triumphs in 1998 and 1999.
Team CEO Zak Brown, who oversaw McLaren’s resurgence from the financial and competitive struggles of recent years, was emotional in the aftermath. “That was the worst two hours of my life, by far,” the American confessed. “I was worried about everything, and he [Norris] drove flawlessly.”
A Race Filled with Tension
The Abu Dhabi GP was far from smooth sailing for McLaren. While Norris drove a flawless race, teammate Oscar Piastri found himself at the back of the pack after a first-corner collision with Max Verstappen. Despite a heroic fightback to claim 10th, Piastri’s incident left the team’s title hopes hanging in the balance.
“For a minute, my heart was like, ‘Oh God, it’s not looking as likely,’” Norris admitted. “But if I just kept my head down and stayed focused, I knew I could deliver.”
Celebrations and a Look Ahead
Norris and Brown were quick to announce their celebratory plans, with the Briton joking, “We’re going to get absolutely hammered.” But beyond the champagne and celebrations, the focus has already shifted to 2025.
“This is a special day for all of us,” Norris said. “Winning a championship for the first time in 26 years is something you wouldn’t have thought when you say the name McLaren. For me and Oscar to be part of this is something we’re incredibly proud of.”
As McLaren closes one of the most memorable chapters in its storied history, Norris left no doubt about his goals for the next season: “We’ve achieved something incredible, but we’re only just getting started.”