"Next year is going to be my year too": Lando Norris exclaims as he helps McLaren win the Constructors' championship
McLaren driver Lando Norris claimed that the 2025 season was going to be his "year" after leading the Woking-based outfit to the Constructors' Championship at the end of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The British driver led the race at the Yas Marina circuit on Sunday evening from start to finish and held off the challenge from the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.
The four-time race winner did not make any mistakes throughout the race despite his teammate Oscar Piastri spinning into Turn 1 of the opening lap. He also confirmed his status as the runner-up for the 2024 season as he finished 18 points ahead of Leclerc in the Drivers' standings.
However, on his team radio, Lando Norris was exuberant in his celebrations and laid down the marker for 2025 as he boldly proclaimed:
"Wooo! Papaya on top. Congrats to everyone, incredible. Well done everyone, so proud of you all. You all deserve this. Thank you so much. It's been a special year. Next year is going to be my year too."
He reiterated the fact in his post-race interview with F1TV as he added:
"This is my goal, our goal as a team. We want to win the Constructors and Drivers' next year. I made my mistakes this year but I learned a lot and learned a lot from Max and my competitors around me. As much as I'm happy now, I'm excited to get next year going."
Lando Norris gives his take on McLaren's Constructors' Championship
McLaren driver Lando Norris said it felt "incredible" for him to lead the Woking-based outfit to their first Constructors' Championship since 1998.
In his post-race interview, he said:
"It feels incredible. Not for myself but for the whole team. They have done an amazing job from where we were at the beginning. I'm so proud of everyone. It's been a lovely journey. To end the season like this is perfect.
"For us to win the Constructors' Championship after 26 years is pretty special. We are going to celebrate. This is a historic moment for the team. It's going to be a good night!"
McLaren ended the 2024 season with 666 points and finished 14 points ahead of Ferrari in the final classifications.