Lando Norris spearheaded McLaren’s F1 constructors’ title success with an outstanding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix victory and promptly declared himself a contender for subsequent yr’s drivers’ crown
Picture: Method 1 by way of Getty Photographs)
After getting his McLaren group over the road within the constructors’ title chase in Abu Dhabi, Lando Norris’ subsequent job is obvious.
And he made positive after Sunday’s season finale that everybody is aware of he thinks he’s up for the problem. The Brit has lengthy been known as a future drivers’ champion and that’s now the one main achievement he has left to tick off his checklist.
This yr he fell brief, although being overwhelmed by Max Verstappen after placing up an admirable struggle is hardly one thing to be embarrassed about. However after successful in Abu Dhabi one of many first issues he mentioned over the radio was: “Subsequent yr goes to be my yr.”
If he spends most of 2025 driving like he did on the Yas Marina Circuit, then he’ll absolutely be in with a shout. Norris has little question come on in leaps and bounds this yr after lastly successful a race for the primary time in Miami. However there have been some frailties, not least a reluctance to match Verstappen’s stage of aggression in wheel-to-wheel fight.
And even when he has been out in entrance, the nerves have threatened to get the higher of him. In Singapore, for instance, the place he received by greater than 20 seconds in a largely very good drive, he practically hit the wall twice at a time when a crash would have ended his title bid sooner.
However there have been no lapses of focus on Sunday, at a time when the stakes have been even larger. Oscar Piastri was taken out on the primary lap by Verstappen and Charles Leclerc wasted no time in reducing via the sphere from nineteenth on the grid. He was the one one within the struggle for McLaren with each Ferrari stars piling on the stress, able to pounce on the slightest of errors from the race chief.
However neither Leclerc nor Carlos Sainz have been ever given a sniff as Norris appeared comfy and calm all through, and obtained the job achieved for his group. It was arguably probably the most mature and commanding drive of his F1 profession.
(
Picture:
Method 1 by way of Getty Photographs)
Martin Brundle was completely proper when he mentioned: “It was the type of efficiency from Norris that may win him a world championship. “Completely calm and reassured, he’s now extraordinarily comfy out entrance of a Grand Prix in addition to gunning for pole place.”
The Sky Sports activities favorite went on so as to add: “Lando should begin as one of many favourites for the 2025 title.” And it is laborious to disagree. He’ll have to determine methods to get the higher of Verstappen on observe, as his strategy this yr simply did not work usually sufficient.
And it’ll, in fact, rely upon whether or not McLaren’s 2025 automotive is as spectacular throughout most tracks on the calendar because it was this time period. However in a season which is prone to see seven and even eight drivers in with an opportunity of championship glory, Norris is as well-placed as any of them to drive to glory.
Be taught extra
Catch all of the motion from Method One on Sky Sports activities and get unique entry to races, qualifying and far more for each Grand Prix. From Max Verstappen to Lewis Hamilton, you will not miss a lap on Sky Sports activities.
