New season may be now or never for ‘nice guy' Norris

After falling short of Max Verstappen last year, the British driver must make it count this time

- Kieran Jackson

Taking the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi at the final race of 2024, bringing home a first constructors' title in 26 years for McLaren, brought up mixed emotions for cheerful chappy Lando Norris.

On one hand, it was pure elation. A member of the McLaren family for eight years, this meant as much to Norris as anyone else. He described it as a “perfect” end to the season, beating Ferrari to the championship by 14 points. And he’d need no invitation; he was going to get “hammered” later that night over the border in Bahrain.

Yet in the same breath, even amid joyous papaya-clad celebrations on the pit wall, the boy from Bristol could not help but sample that bittersweet taste. “It’s been a special year,” he said over team radio, before adding: “And next year is going to be my year, too.” Norris knew. Everyone knew. It could have been so much greater.

It would be a stretch to say Norris lost last year’s F1 drivers’ title – in fact, he was never in front. But numerous chances in faster machinery came and went – Barcelona, Budapest, Brazil, to name only the Bs – and Max Verstappen, four times a champion now, gave his close pal a lesson in title tilting. The Dutchman, the greatest of his generation, was a deserved champion.

But this season, with all early indications at testing pointing towards McLaren having the quickest car of the lot, should be different. It has to be, if Norris is to realise his potential and win a first Formula 1 world championship.