Norris reflects on championship battle: 'Only learn when you experience it'
F1 News
- Jeroen Immink
Lando Norris has reflected on his battles with Max Verstappen this season in Formula 1. In Las Vegas, the Red Bull Racing driver took his fourth F1 title, ending a long-running fight. Norris has since indicated that he is "proud" of himself and McLaren for their efforts across the 2024 season.
After the races at Interlagos and in Las Vegas, Norris looked disappointed. The Briton realised there that his dream of becoming world champion would have to be postponed for at least another year. Now that we are a couple of weeks on, the Briton has been able to put things more into perspective. "What a year it's been and I'm so very proud of the whole year," he began. After all, McLaren is still the leading constructor of 2024.
'Maybe the things I learned were a year too late'
Norris won his first Grand Prix in Miami earlier this season and soon became a title contender. The Brit says that he's learnt a lot through his first championship battles. "I am happy with the work I have done. I have beaten people I needed to beat. And at the same time, there are things I need to improve, but I have learnt a lot this year. Maybe it is a year too late, and I wish I could have learnt some things earlier, but some things you learn only when you experience them for the first time. So I don't regret everything I did this year," Norris explained.
"I'm happy we did some of it. We put them under a bit of pressure and as soon as we put them under a bit of pressure, they started to make some mistakes, but we've also made too many this year to make things easier for ourselves," Norris concluded. McLaren has won five races this year. Lando Norris has won three, whilst teammate Oscar Piastri has won two.
This weekend in Abu Dhabi, Norris will be aiming to help McLaren win their first constructors championship since 1998. Together with teammate Oscar Piastri, he will take on Ferrari in the winner-takes-all battle for the title. McLaren has the advantage, as they sit 21 points ahead of rivals Ferrari before the last race.
This article was written in collaboration with Toby Nixon
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