Lando Norris has made his ambitions clear: he wants to win the 2024 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship on his own terms. The McLaren star, who is currently locked in an intense battle for the title, has emphasized that he aims to achieve victory through his own skills rather than relying on assistance from his teammate or team orders.
McLaren’s resurgence has put them at the forefront of the Constructors’ Championship this season, with the team boasting the fastest car on the grid. Both Norris and Oscar Piastri have showcased their talents, pushing the team to the top in fierce battles against their rivals. At the recent Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Piastri clinched victory with Norris playing a pivotal role, holding off competitors and ensuring his teammate maintained the lead.
With just six races left in the season, McLaren’s dominant form has positioned them as strong contenders for both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships. Norris remains within striking distance of the championship leader, while Piastri, who admitted that he dislikes team orders, has expressed his willingness to support Norris, acknowledging that the Briton has a better chance of clinching the title.
However, Norris has been vocal about his desire to win without relying on favors. The 24-year-old is determined to earn his first championship fairly and wants to look back with pride, knowing he achieved it through his own efforts. “I don’t want to go five years down the line and think, ‘I only won because people let me pass or this happened.’ That’s not a deserving victory. I want to win in a deserving way,” Norris stated.
Currently, McLaren has accumulated over 516 points and sits at the top of the standings. For Norris, the focus remains on his performance and ensuring he delivers on track. “I get people’s biases and opinions, but I’m happy with what we’re doing, and I need to go out and do the job correctly,” he added.
This season marks Norris’s first real opportunity to fight for a championship, and it’s clear he’s adapting to the pressure of being in the title race. McLaren, too, is adjusting to their newfound position as contenders. The team last claimed a championship in 2008 with Lewis Hamilton and hasn’t won the Constructors’ title since 1998. Now, 26 years later, they are once again fighting at the top.
Norris admitted that the magnitude of his current position may not fully sink in until later. “I’m sure maybe next year, or in many years when I look back on it, it probably will feel quite different,” he said, reflecting on the intensity of his championship fight.
As the season heads into a month-long break, the next race at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin looms large. Red Bull, McLaren’s biggest rival, will be working tirelessly to regain the pace and consistency that saw them dominate early in the season. Norris, with three victories to his name, and Piastri, with two wins, have been instrumental in McLaren’s success. Fans and the team alike are hoping McLaren can maintain their momentum and secure both titles as the season enters its final stretch.
