Norris: A victory in 2024 but no title before 2026?

Lando Norris knows that a victory is doubtless in Formula 1, despite the fact that it is still denied to him. The McLaren F1 driver considers himself closer than ever to being able to do so, and he has set this goal as a priority, before that of the world title.

“There were times when we were close to winning packages last year, and a few packages where we weren’t miles away from a Red Bull” recalls Norris. “And when you think about it, it was the most competitive car in F1 history.”

“In terms of winning a direction, we are the closest we have ever been since I have been here at McLaren and for many, many years. But fighting for a championship is a bigger step.”

“If you asked me if I thought I could win packages this year, I’d probably be more inclined to say ‘yes.’ But jumping straight to ‘can you win packages and a championship?’ I think it’s another level, both for me, but also for the whole team, for everyone here at the factory.”

“The trade mentality” when playing a title

Norris, however, has confidence in McLaren F1 to be more and more pressing against Red Bull. The Briton is convinced that his team is ready to put pressure on the world champions, but less to challenge them for world titles.

“Do I think we are ready to challenge them? Absolutely in these scenarios, and there are boxes where we fought against Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, and we fought against them and we fought against them. We competed against each other in strategy and pit stops and all those things.”

“Most of the time we executed things very well. So when it comes to pressure, I think everyone here is in a very good state. But as soon as we talk about fighting for a championship, I think everyone’s mentality trades a little.”

“But I feel ready to go up against Max and Lewis and fight against them. It all comes down to consistency and the little decisions along the way, which are hard to predict when you’re going against those guys, because you don’t you never know what their next move will be and, at the same time, they never know what ours will be.”

Norris reminds us that aiming for the title before 2025 is utopian: “The championship, I would like to aim for it in the next two years, but 2026 is an opportunity for everyone on the grid. So that’s the question mark. But we will see what we do this year and you You can ask me the question again.”