Lando Norris took the final victory of the 2024 season in Abu Dhabi with a lights-to-flag victory to claim McLaren’s first Constructors’ Championship since 1998.
McLaren had a brief scare when Oscar Piastri was spun by Max Verstappen at the first corner, putting their title hopes in jeopardy as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc also had an ‘epic’ start and was P8 after the opening lap after starting P19.
The assured drive from the Briton enabled him to win the title for McLaren with 14 points to spare, with Martin Brundle saying the drive puts Norris as the favourite for title success in 2025.
Nico Rosberg also believes Norris is the standout driver who could beat Verstappen next year, having made several mistakes in his title battle with the Dutchman this year.
However, the Briton was spotted making a mistake just days after the chequered flag fell at the Yas Marina Circuit by journalist Lewis Larkham.
Lando Norris spins during post-season Abu Dhabi test
Norris is taking part in the Abu Dhabi F1 post-season test with McLaren, which is the last chance teams have to gather data on track before they head into the winter break.
Teams will be running two cars, with Norris doing the morning shift in one car and Piastri taking over for the rest of the day in the afternoon.
But just days after taking an assured victory, Norris was seen spinning on the exit of Turn 14 as the track loops around the W hotel on Yas Island.
The moment was fairly undramatic for the McLaren driver, with him able to get going again without damage and resume the test.
Lando Norris will have best chance of title success in 2025
After six years in F1 and entering his seventh with McLaren, Norris will want to use everything he has learned this year to mount a title challenge in 2025.
A Constructors’ Championship shows impressive consistency throughout the year from Norris, and he will need to draw on that to beat Verstappen.
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Brundle has also told Norris to take advantage of Verstappen and George Russell’s spat, which may continue into next season.
It is set to be an important year for the Briton, as McLaren will likely keep their advantage heading into the final year of the current regulations before a change in 2026.
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