Lando Norris secured McLaren's first Formula 1 constructors' championship for 26 years with a well-deserved victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but the Brit has bigger ambitions.
The 25-year-old, who has been with McLaren since he made his debut in F1 in 2019, dominated from the get-go in Abu Dhabi, despite coming under serious pressure after Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri collided on the first lap.
Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc finished in second and third at the Yas Marina Circuit but it wasn't enough as McLaren finished the year 14 points clear of Ferrari.
After closing out McLaren’s first constructors’ title since Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard in 1998, Norris was full of praise for his colleagues.
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“It feels incredible, not just for myself but for the whole team,” he said. “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."
Norris continued: “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."
Asked about his chances of becoming champion next year, he added: "This is my goal. It’s our goal as a team. We want to win the Constructors’ and Drivers’ next year.
"I made my mistakes this year, but I’ve learned a lot, and I’ve learned a lot from Max [Verstappen] and the competitors around me. So, as much as I’m happy now, I’m excited for next year."
This isn't the first time Norris has brought up the idea of winning next year's F1 title.
Last month, the Brit said he “has what it takes” to beat the likes of Verstappen and Leclerc as he discussed the past few months.
“There’s times where, as a team, we didn’t perform at the level we needed to do as a World Championship winning team,” Norris said. “But there’s also been plenty of times when I’ve not performed at the level I needed to perform at to win a championship.
"I probably wasn’t outright ready to go up against Red Bull and Max. I think I am now, and it’s probably too late to do that. Maybe there are other drivers in the past that were ready for such an occasion.
“But no one has gone up against Max so early on in their career, halfway through the season and put up, I think, a pretty reasonable fight."
Norris added: “I mean, I’m there, but there’s no one else doing it, you know. I’ve done my best. I’ve not done well enough. And I’ve always admitted that.
“I think Max is probably one of the best drivers ever in Formula 1. And I think you’ll probably get a much better driver than Max ever in Formula 1, ever again. That’s my opinion, but that’s what I believe in.
“And for me to go up against that belief, to fight against that person that I know is so good, takes a bit more than what I’ve probably achieved this season.
“But I think what I’ve done since the summer break is closer to what I need to be. And I think that is close to being good enough to fighting for it next year.
Topics: Lando Norris, Formula 1, Mercedes, McLaren, Max Verstappen
Jack Kenmare