I’m ready to bring the fight to everyone” – Lando Norris declared

Reflecting on the season, the 25-year-old McLaren driver admitted the disappointment of missing out on the title to Verstappen but emphasized his determination to bounce back stronger. “When you realize it’s gone, it’s tough,” Norris told the BBC podcast F1: Back at Base. “This is all I’ve ever wanted to do since I was a kid, so it hurts when it slips away.”

Norris mounted a strong title challenge, narrowing the points gap to Verstappen late in the season. His maiden F1 win came at the Miami Grand Prix in May, followed by a season total of four victories and eight pole positions. Despite closing to within 47 points with four races remaining, Verstappen secured the title after winning in Brazil and Las Vegas.

Reflecting on his progress, Norris said, “It’s been a year where I’m proud of performing under pressure and learning from my mistakes. I believe I’m a good enough driver, and we have the car to compete. Going into 2025, I feel confident I can fight for the championship.”

Norris’s teammate, Oscar Piastri, also claimed his first F1 victory in 2024, contributing to McLaren’s constructors’ championship win—its first since 1998. Speaking on the podcast, Piastri highlighted his improvements, particularly in race recovery after challenging qualifying sessions, and is focused on refining his consistency.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, meanwhile, is already strategizing for 2025, emphasizing the need to improve further despite their recent success. “Winning the constructors’ championship doesn’t guarantee future success,” Stella said. “We need to raise the bar, as small margins can mean the difference between winning and losing.”

The podcast F1: Back at Base offers an inside look at McLaren and Aston Martin during the final 10 races of the 2024 season, featuring drivers, team leaders, and factory operations. It is available now on BBC Sounds, with episodes re