Lando Norris declares 2025 F1 drivers' title after main McLaren to constructors' triumph with victory in Abu Dhabi | F1 Information

Lando Norris has declared that “subsequent 12 months is my 12 months” after main McLaren to the constructors' championship by profitable the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Norris didn’t win the drivers' championship as Max Verstappen sealed a fourth consecutive title with two rounds remaining, however the Briton ensured McLaren ends 2024 with silverware.

After teammate Oscar Piastri fell from second to the again of the sector following a first-corner collision with Verstappen, polesitter Norris managed the race fantastically to make sure McLaren held off Ferrari's problem and gained the title for the primary time since. 1998.

After taking the checkered flag, Norris congratulated his colleagues on the crew radio earlier than including: “It's been a particular 12 months. Subsequent 12 months will probably be mine too.”

The 25-year-old Briton, who finally completed 63 factors behind Verstappen on the high of the drivers' standings, later defined to Sky Sports activities F1 why he’s assured of profitable a primary title in 2025.

“I definitely know I’ve what it takes. There's little question about it and I'm assured I can say that,” he mentioned.

“It's clear, and I believe this 12 months I've confirmed that not every little thing is the place it needs to be, however even since these moments, I really feel like I've improved lots during the last quarter and the second half of the 12 months, enormously.

“I’ve confidence in myself, which isn’t a standard factor, and I'm by no means going to shout that form of factor. However I’ve confidence that I can struggle Max, and I can struggle Charles and every little thing. these different drivers who’re simply as able to profitable championships, even Lewis and stuff like that subsequent 12 months.

“So, I’ve what it takes. Sure, I would like to enhance in some areas, and a few areas usually are not on the degree they need to be, and I'm going to work exhausting over the winter to enhance them, however I’ll do that and we are going to struggle.

Piastri “positively” goals for drivers’ title in 2025

Norris' declaration of ambition was notable given McLaren insisted till 2024 that they noticed him as equals with Piastri, and confirmed they might solely be ready to prioritize the hopes of a person that if it was nearly inconceivable for the opposite driver to be within the combine for the drivers' title.

The Australian was at instances in a position to match Norris, maybe most memorably overtaking his team-mate early within the Hungarian Grand Prix earlier than McLaren's strategic alternative created a radio drama about crew orders that adopted. is lastly over with Piastri taking his first F1 victory.

Requested by Sky Sports activities F1 If he too is aiming for the drivers' title subsequent 12 months, Piastri provided a categorical reply.

“Definitely,” he mentioned. “Hopefully we will come out of the blocks sturdy subsequent season and supply a problem from the beginning.

“I nonetheless have a couple of issues to work on and enhance, however I really feel prefer it’s a very good step up from my rookie season.

“So I'm excited for subsequent 12 months, excited for a bit of break first, then I'll return and attempt to struggle for each championships.”

Brown 'wouldn't guess in opposition to' Norris for 2025 title

McLaren chief government Zak Brown mentioned it was as much as his two drivers to “decide that” relating to the 2025 drivers' title, however admitted he “wouldn't guess in opposition to” Norris.

Brown mentioned. Sky Sports activities F1: “This race, he (Norris) carried us. To not make any errors, and we have been apprehensive concerning the Security Vehicles, I used to be apprehensive about every little thing, and he drove completely, as he did.”

“So subsequent, attempt to repeat the producers' one and get the drivers' (title). I'll let Oscar and Lando determine that out.”

Requested about Norris' radio message, Brown added: “He's going to provide it his all. And given the momentum he has, I wouldn't guess in opposition to him.”

Brown additionally admitted that watching his crew try to finish a 26-year anticipate the constructors' title was “the worst two hours” of his life.

He praised McLaren's pit crew, who expertly executed Norris' solely cease of the race to maintain him forward of Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, who had stopped a lap earlier to try a undercut.

“It was by far the worst two hours of my life,” Brown mentioned.

“Lando drove brilliantly. It was unlucky what occurred to Oscar initially, however the crew was faultless. They executed the pit cease completely.

“And I believe I used to be the one one who was able to have a coronary heart assault for about two hours.”

Watch all 24 race weekends of the 2025 Components 1 season stay on Sky Sports activities F1, beginning with the Australian GP from March 14-16. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime