Lando Norris vows to 'beat Ferrari in style' as McLaren targets Constructors’ title after front-row lock-out
After a brilliant final flying lap on Saturday, Lando Norris devised a plan for Sunday. The pole sitter for the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix said he wants to beat Ferrari, their title rival for the Constructors' Championship, "in style."
Norris pulled off a scintillating final flying lap to set himself on the pole in Abu Dhabi. The McLaren driver positioned himself ahead of his teammate, Oscar Piastri, securing the front row for the Papayas.
Compared to them, Carlos Sainz of Ferrari could only manage P3, whereas his teammate Charles Leclerc qualified in P14 (Leclerc incurred a 10-place grid penalty and will start the race from P19).
"We have to beat Ferrari, that's the aim but we want to do it in style," Norris said in the post-qualifying interview. "We want to win, I want to win. I'll give it everything I've got. Very happy and the team has done an incredible job."
McLaren is currently leading the Constructors' Championship with 640 points after 23 races and six sprints. They are 21 points ahead of the Prancing Horse, who are in P2 with 619 points.
On the other hand, if Lando Norris can claim another victory at the Yas Marina Circuit race, he will cement his place in P2 of the Drivers' Championship behind Max Verstappen.
McLaren boss wants Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to be 'laser focused' to beat Ferrari
Zak Brown, the McLaren CEO, was jubilant after Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri locked the front row ahead of Sunday's Abu Dhabi GP. However, he asked them to remain sharp if they wanted to beat Ferrari for the Constructors' Championship.
"What a job by the team. So close. When Nico Hulkenberg put that time up... well done Nico! The race is tomorrow, so we need to be laser focused," Brown told the media.
"What is most important — we want the trophy, we can replace the money and everything, but we want the trophy for our cabinet more than anything," he added.
Title holder Max Verstappen starts the race from P5, whereas Lewis Hamilton, in his final race for Mercedes, starts the race from P16 after he qualified in P18 on Saturday.
Defending champions Red Bull will finish the season in P3, ahead of Mercedes in P4, after an underwhelming season by Sergio Perez cost them the opportunity to compete with McLaren and Ferrari.