F1
Norris gives McLaren the Constructors' title: "A historic moment"
Lando Norris holds off Carlos Sainz to give McLaren the 2024 Constructors' title - Photo: DPPI
It is necessarily a very moving moment that Lando Norris lived this Sunday, December 8, 2024 in Abu Dhabi. By winning his fourth career victory, he allowed McLaren, his long-time team, to win his ninth world Constructors' title, his first since 1998. The Englishman did not tremble as he won without a fight from pole position, leaving no chance for the Ferrari.
The race had started badly for the Woking team, with a Oscar piastri harpooned by Max Verstappen (Red Bull) from the first bend and a first anthology lap of Charles Leclerc, moved up into the points before the end of this first loop while he started from 19th place. Continuing his momentum, the Monegasque took the podium behind his teammate Carlos Sainz. Problem for the Scuderia: Norris was untouchable on the Yas Marina track this Sunday, he who led the race from start to finish.
💥 OH THE PIASTRI/VERSTAPPEN CLASH! 💥
VERY lively start for this last Grand Prix of the year! Pérez retires, Leclerc gets off to a flying start, Pierre Gasly provisionally 3rd! #AbuDhabiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/DBbWfLEZWy
— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) December 8, 2024
« It's an incredible feeling, not only for me, but for the whole team, Norris told Nico Rosberg after the finish. The team has done an incredible job. When you look at where we were at the start of the season, I am so proud of everyone. It has been an incredible journey. Thank you and congratulations to McLaren, to everyone who has supported us this year. It is special to win this title after 26 years of waiting. »
Norris targets Drivers' title in 2025
The party promises to be great in the English clan. Zak (Brown) and I have already planned everything for tonight, Norris smiled. We can't wait to celebrate, this is a historic moment for our team. It's going to be a great night. »
With this victory, Lando Norris also finished as vice-champion of the Drivers behind Max Verstappen. With the level displayed by McLaren after the first third of the season, the Briton will have the ambition to dethrone the four-time title holder in 2025. My goal is to be world champion next year, admits the winner of the day. I want to win the Drivers' title. I made mistakes this year, but I learned a lot, including from Max, who was my main rival. I am both happy and impatient for next year. »
See you on March 16, 2025 for the Australian Grand Prix, the kickoff of the next Formula 1 season.
ALSO READ > Lando Norris wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Constructors' title for McLaren!
Valentin GLO
Journalist. Endurance reporter (WEC, IMSA, ELMS, ALMS) and sometimes F1 or IndyCar.
Read also
Yves-Henri RANDIER
08/12/2024 at 10:12 a.m.
Looking forward to 2025 with, apparently, new features in 2 (Ferrari and Mercedes) or even 3 (if TexMex is going to take care of tequila!) of the 4 dominant teams this year!
vincent moyet
08/12/2024 at 06:17 a.m.
Kudos to McLaren (my favorite team by the way) who are making a great comeback to the top after hitting rock bottom. Zak must have dislocated a few shoulders in the garage, but they have a few months to recover.