Norris ‘so proud’ of McLaren as Abu Dhabi win ensures team take first constructors’ title since 1998

Lando Norris’s fourth victory of 2024 at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ensured that McLaren held off the challenge of rivals Ferrari to claim their first constructors’ title since 1998 – a feat Norris declared he was “so proud” of.

From pole position, Norris avoided the first lap chaos that saw his P2-starting team mate Oscar Piastri spun around by 2024 champion Max Verstappen.

Norris went on to control the race, withstanding the pressure of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc – who earned the Driver of the Day accolade after a searing run from P19 on the grid to P3 – to close out McLaren’s first constructors’ title since Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard achieved the championship 26 years ago.

“It feels incredible, not just for myself but for the whole team,” said Norris, who joined McLaren’s young driver programme in 2017, before making his F1 debut with the squad in 2019.

Race Highlights: 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

“The team have done an amazing job this year to come from where we were at the beginning. I’m so proud of everyone – it’s been a lovely journey.

“And to end the season like this is perfect, so just a congrats and big thank you to everyone in McLaren, everyone in papaya, everyone who supported us this year because it’s been a tough one. For us to win a constructors’ after 26 years is pretty special.

LIVE COVERAGE: Follow the Abu Dhabi GP action as Norris wins to secure constructors’ title for McLaren

“We’re going to celebrate, this is a historic moment for the team,” added Norris. “They’re going to want to celebrate, and I want to celebrate with them so it’s going to be a good night!”

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Norris’s cool-down lap saw him vow over team radio that “next year’s going to be my year too”. And after ending the season in a career-best P2 in the drivers’ standings to Verstappen – 63 points adrift, but having taken his first victories in the sport this year – Norris was clear that drivers’ title glory was next on his hit list.

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“It’s my goal, it’s our goal as a team,” said Norris. “We want to win the constructors’, we want to win the drivers’ next year. I made my mistakes this year but I’ve learned a lot – I’ve 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.”

Piastri, meanwhile, ended up recovering to P10 after his first-lap issues – and a subsequent 10-second penalty for colliding with Williams’ Franco Colapinto – meaning McLaren finished the year 14 points clear of Ferrari.