Lando Norris’ Grit and McLaren’s Triumph: A Historic F1 Constructors’ Championship Win
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — The wait is over. After 26 long years, McLaren has finally reclaimed the Formula 1 constructors’ championship, and it was none other than Lando Norris who delivered the decisive blow. With a flawless drive in Abu Dhabi, Norris not only sealed the title for McLaren but also sent a clear message to the rest of the grid: “Next year’s going to be my year, too.”
It was a bold statement, but one that felt entirely fitting after a season-defining performance. Norris’ victory in Abu Dhabi was not just a race win; it was a masterclass in composure, skill, and resilience. It capped off a breakthrough season for both the British team and its rising superstar, who has his sights firmly set on even greater heights in 2025.
“We want to win the constructors’, we want to win the drivers’ next year,” Norris declared after the race, his confidence radiating as brightly as the desert sun.
A Rocky Start to a Crucial Race
McLaren entered the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in a strong position, with Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri locking out the front row. But the team’s comfortable lead in the constructors’ standings was thrown into jeopardy just seconds after the lights went out. A daring move by Max Verstappen sent Piastri spinning, leaving Norris to fend off Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz—the duo trailing McLaren by 21 points in the standings—all on his own.
“I was watching the TV screens and I saw Charles was P8 after Lap 1 … so I was a little bit nervous,” Norris admitted. “For a minute, my heart was like, ‘Oh God, it’s not looking as likely,’ but if I just kept my head down and kept focused, I knew I could deliver and do what I got to do.”
Delivering Under Pressure
And deliver he did. While lonely wins from the front can sometimes appear routine, they are anything but. Norris had to manage his pace, his tires, and his nerves, all while keeping Sainz at bay. “Carlos was never far away,” Norris said. “I think the biggest I got the gap was to like 4.2 seconds in the first stint, and that’s not a very nice gap, in my opinion. It’s a bit too close to my comfort.”
In the end, Norris crossed the line 5.832 seconds ahead of Sainz, showcasing the kind of poise and maturity that hasn’t always been a given in his career. This season, however, has been a turning point. Norris earned his maiden win and added three more victories to his tally, though the journey wasn’t without its challenges.
Lessons Learned in a Breakthrough Year
Despite his successes, Norris faced criticism at times during the season. Before the halfway mark, he was considered an outsider in the title fight, and some argued that his battle with Verstappen—whose season seemed to be unraveling—should have been much closer. Norris struggled in wheel-to-wheel battles with Verstappen and failed to capitalize on several opportunities, converting just three of his eight pole positions into wins.
Still, Norris views 2024 as a year of growth. “I think the one thing I’ve learned this year is probably to believe in myself a bit more,” he reflected. “So I’ve certainly not come out on top as often as I would have liked in certain moments as a driver, especially in my fights against Max. As much as it hurts sometimes, I’m probably happy about it now that I’m going to go into next season knowing that I can fight.”
McLaren’s Evolution as a Contender
It wasn’t just Norris who grew this season. McLaren as a team had to adapt to its new reality as a genuine contender. There were missteps along the way, such as bungled team orders in Hungary and Italy, but the team ultimately rose to the occasion. The defining moment came on Lap 27 in Abu Dhabi, when Norris made his one and only pit stop. Sainz had stopped a lap earlier, and any mistake could have cost Norris the lead—and McLaren the championship.
But McLaren’s pit crew was flawless. “The whole season was in the last pitstop,” team boss Andrea Stella said. “A problem at the pitstop and we could have lost the position to Carlos and we could have lost the championship. The guys delivered what I think is one of the best pitstops of the season, confirming the trajectory which was not only car performance but was the overall maturity, mentality, emotional resilience of the entire team.”
Looking Ahead to 2025
McLaren’s resurgence began with an upgrade package introduced in Miami, and the team is determined to carry this momentum into next season. Company CEO Zak Brown has set the goal of hitting the ground running in 2025, and if the team can deliver a competitive car and the version of Norris that shone in Abu Dhabi, the papaya squad could be poised for another historic year.
For now, though, McLaren and Norris can savor the sweet taste of victory. “I’ll remember my part in McLaren’s title forever,” Norris said. And so will the fans.
Originally Written by: Laurence Edmondson
