The Drivers’ Championship may have eluded Lando Norris in 2024. However, he achieved much more than personal glory by securing a victory in Abu Dhabi last Sunday. The British driver brought smiles to the faces of hundreds of euphoric McLaren employees by sealing the team’s first Constructors’ title since 1998. Norris also ensured he savored the moment, rather than get distracted trying to document it.
In a clip posted on X, Norris was seen celebrating with the papaya squad when a voice could be heard asking him to film the moment for Drive to Survive, the famous Netflix docuseries.
The Bristol-born driver’s responded: “No, I’m with my team I am sorry.”
“you should go, do your episode for dts”
“no i’m with my team sorry.” ↕️↕️↕️ pic.twitter.com/HpjBg4aUxJ— paige (@landospov) December 10, 2024
McLaren had endured some pretty rough years since their last title win. Off-track scandals and financial difficulties bogged them down while mechanical limitations sent them to the back of the grid in the mid-2010s. That’s why this victory was so special, and the entire team gathered in front of their garage at the Yas Marina Circuit to celebrate by clicking a picture together.
Norris would have rued it if he had missed this moment. After all, he too had placed his complete faith in McLaren despite their shortcomings in the previous seasons.
At one point, strong rumors linked him to Red Bull but each time he responded by reaffirming his belief in the Woking-based squad. Even before they became a race-winning team, Norris signed a long-term deal that would keep him at McLaren beyond 2026.
The memories Norris and Co. made in Abu Dhabi were unforgettable, for sure. But this wasn’t Norris’ ultimate goal. And he promised that in earnest: adding the Drivers’ title to his collection next year.
