Lando Norris believes McLaren can win more races in 2024 and will be “100 percent” fighting for the constructors’ championship next season after securing its long-awaited breakthrough win.
Norris became the 21st British driver in history to win a Formula 1 race following his impressive success at the Miami GP. This ended a series of 110 Grand Prix and a record of 15 podiums without a first victory.
The 24-year-old took advantage of a safety car period before pulling away from Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, giving McLaren its first win in almost three years and highlighting further progress within the British team.
Norris sits fourth in the drivers’ championship, 53 points behind three-time world champion Verstappen – while third-placed McLaren is 115 points behind the dominant Red Bull in the constructors’ battle.
Asked if they can challenge for the title next season, Norris told Sky Sports F1: “100 percent. I still say this with my feet on the ground. I want to believe we have two great drivers.”
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Norris proved what a popular man he is after so many riders were quick to express how happy they were that the Briton had secured his first Grand Prix victory
“We have a great team behind us and are closer than ever before.
“As much as I said at the start of this year that we can win races, I should have the confidence to say next year that we can take the next step.”
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Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, Karun Chandhok says Norris’ positive attitude was a key factor in his first F1 win in Miami
“McLaren still has a lot to do”
Norris, who extended his stay in Miami to toast his first victory, was back at the McLaren Technology Center on Thursday to share the success with the entire team. He admits they continue to lag behind Red Bull and Ferrari but is confident there will be more success this season.
“We can definitely win more races this year,” said Norris. “I think we can keep up with Red Bull. I think we are in for an exciting season between us, Red Bull and Ferrari.”
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“I think we still have a lot of work to do and we’re not at the level they’re at right now. There will be races where we are competitive enough, but on average we are not quite where we want to be.”
“I think we are still grounded. We know we still have more work to do, but as soon as they all have a drink this morning, I’ll tell them to get back to work so we can fight even more.”
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On the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, Natalie Pinkham reflects on Norris’ growth and development since his early years in the sport
Brown: McLaren is “in play” for more wins
Norris’ victory in Miami last Sunday was McLaren’s first win since Australian Daniel Ricciardo led him with a one-two at Monza in 2021, while managing director Zak Brown hopes it will be the first of many in the coming months.
“I don’t understand why we can’t fight for wins,” Brown said said Sky Sports. “It will not be easy. Red Bull still has the pace, that was one race and we were really good, but in the last two races we were faster than Ferrari so we are close.”
“We are in the game. This shows that Red Bull are beatable and we intend to beat them and everyone else a few more times this year, so I see no reason why not.”
On her 2025 title hopes, Brown added: “Next year there will be an evolution of this year’s car, but we’re only a few tenths away from that, so I definitely want to stay away from championship predictions.”
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McLaren CEO Zak Brown says “why not” to a tattoo that commemorates Norris’ first Formula 1 victory in Miami and matches the ink he got for former McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo’s first win for the Team wore in 2021
I like the development we are on. I’ve always said that if you win one race, there’s no reason why you can’t win multiple races, and if you win multiple races, you’re in the World Championship. Our day to fight for the world championship is not that far away.”
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