LANDO’S RACE TO THE TOP
Norris wants to keep winning as he eyes title in 2025
LANDO NORRIS is convinced he can win more races this season before challenging for the ultimate prize next year.
The 24-year-old claimed his first Formula One victory at the Miami Grand Prix last weekend.
The British driver capitalised on a safety car period before pulling away from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to pick up his maiden win in his 110th grand prix.
It was McLaren’s first victory since September 2021 and further highlighted the team’s improvement.
Norris sits fourth in the drivers’ standings, 53 points adrift of three-time world champion Verstappen, while third-placed McLaren trail the dominant Red Bull by 115 points in the constructors’ battle.
Asked if the Woking-based team can contend for the title next season, Norris said: “One hundred percent. I am saying that still with my feet on the ground.
“I want to believe that we have two great drivers. We have an amazing team behind us and we are closer than ever.
“As much as I said at the beginning of this year we can win races, I should have the confidence to say next year we can go for the next step.”
Norris, who extended his stay in Miami to toast his first win, was back at the McLaren Technology Centre yesterday to share his success with the wider team.
He admits McLaren remain short of Red Bull and Ferrari but is confident of more success this season.
“We still have work to do, we are not at the level they are just yet,” Norris added.
“On average we are not quite where we want to be.We still have our feet on the ground, we know we have more work to do.
“As soon as they’ve all had a little drink this morning I’m going to tell them to get back to work so
We have an amazing team and are closer than ever
we can keep fighting even more! If there is any race I want to have the same speed it is at Silverstone.
“We can win races this year, we can compete against Red Bull and we are looking at an exciting season between us, Red Bull and Ferrari.”
Norris partied with Verstappen, left, in Miami after his win and the pair have a good relationship off the track.
But Norris admits things could change if he continues to fight for wins with the Dutchman.
“I’m sure it will, not in a bad way,” said Norris.
“We have respect for one another, we get along. We’re not best friends. We don’t text each other every day, that kind of thing.
“But we have a lot of respect, from him to me and me back to him. I want to challenge him, I want to race against him and battle because he’s one of the best drivers ever in Formula One.
“So if I can prove myself against him, I’m proving myself against one of the best, and that’s exactly what I want to do.”