Norris reflects on 2024 growth: 'I'm ready to take on anyone'
Today at 06:04 AM
gh Lando Norris says he is ready to carry the momentum of his breakthrough 2024 season into an all-out championship fight in 2025.
While the McLaren charger ultimately finished second to Red Bull's Max Verstappen in the championship, the season served as a powerful learning experience, fueling Norris's determination for 2025.
Speaking on the BBC podcast F1: Back at Base, Norris reflected on the emotional rollercoaster of a year that brought career-highs but also left him hungry for more.
"When that realisation kind of sets in of 'it's gone,' it's a tough one," Norris admitted, referring to missing out on the championship.
"This is what I've done since I was a kid, this is all I want to do. So, as soon as that kind of candle is gone and it's over, it hurts."
A Year of Breakthroughs
Norris ignited his championship charge with a maiden Formula 1 victory at the Miami Grand Prix in May, a win that marked the start of a transformative season.
Over the course of 2024, he added three more wins, eight pole positions, and a string of standout performances that cemented his status as one of the sport's brightest stars.
By the final phase of the season, Norris had narrowed the gap to Verstappen to just 47 points with four races remaining. However, Verstappen's win in Brazil gave the Dutchman the opportunity to clinch the title at the penultimate race in Las Vegas.
Despite falling short, Norris expressed pride in his performance under pressure.
"It's been a year where, actually, I've been pretty proud of my performance. Proud of performing under the pressure that we've been under, delivering when I have," he said.
"I've made my mistakes and, at the same time, I've learned a lot from those mistakes.
"So for us to go into next year, going 'we have what it takes, we have a car'... I believe I'm a good enough driver and I've got everything it takes."
Confidence for the Future
For Norris, 2024 wasn't just about results – it was about personal growth.
"Confidence is something I've struggled with in the past, and probably I've only built enough up throughout this season to go 'I'm confident that I'm a good enough driver to win a championship next year' and I can bring a fight to whoever wants to fight me for it," he reasoned.
"I'm excited to go into 2025 knowing I've learned a lot, I've improved a lot, and I'm ready to bring the fight to everyone."
Team and Personal Goals
Norris also emphasized McLaren's role in his success, noting the team's determination to push even harder in 2025.
Speaking this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Norris praised the team's mentality following their constructors' championship triumph, which he sealed with a victory at the Yas Marina season finale.
"One thing we've realised as a team is now we're there we want to make it easy for ourselves," he said.
"We want to keep going so that we can win easily these races and not have them as difficult as they were last year.
"It was easy for all of them to get back and just go 'we're good, we've done it now, let's just relax.'
"They've done the opposite. They've gone 'we want even more,' and they've worked even harder to try and find new things for this year."
As much as Norris values the team's success, his personal ambitions remain at the forefront.
"For myself, as much as I want to win the constructors every single year, I also want that selfish one, to win the drivers' championship," he admitted.
"You need a good team behind you, and I think that's exactly what I've got."
Reflecting on how close he came to the title in 2024, Norris added:
"I came close-ish last year. AlthouI was still always a bit far behind, but I could smell it. I had that feeling of like, okay, this is kind of what it's like."
With a strong team behind him, a year of growth under his belt, and newfound confidence, Norris is poised to take his title challenge to the next level in 2025.
His message to the grid is clear: he's ready to fight.
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