McLaren’s 2024 Formula 1 season was one of its strongest in recent years, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri earning them their first championship since the 1998 season.
Both Norris and Piastri earned their first race wins in 2024 and, together, achieved 21 podium finishes in 24 races, the most they have had in a season since 2007 when they had 24 with Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.
McLaren heads into the 2025 season as the favourites for the title, with Martin Brundle tipping Norris as the man to beat after his dominant Abu Dhabi win.
Guenther Steiner predicts that Piastri will be a dark horse this year, after his impressive rookie year with McLaren in which he got up to speed almost instantly.
Ahead of the 2025 season, both drivers received a rather odd honour from one of their sponsors to commemorate their impressive title-winning year for McLaren.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri get Quay Crane named after them by McLaren sponsor
The city of Mananama was lit up in papaya orange as the majority owners of the team, Mumtalakat Holding Company, the sovereign wealth fund of Bahrain showed their appreciation.
Now one of McLaren’s sponsors, global logistics company DP World, has shown their appreciation by naming a Quay Crane after both Norris and Piastri.
Norris reacted to the news in a video on YouTube: “I didn’t know. It’s my first time every hearing it.”
Interviewer: “You’re the first Formula 1 driver to have a Quay Crane.”
Norris: “A Quay Crane? Well I need to go visit it then don’t I? I mean, it was an incredible season. A lot of great memories. I guess this is something else from the DP World side that will allow everyone to remember it for even longer.”
Lando Norris gives surprising answer when asked about 2025 title
Norris and Piastri are expected to be very close this year, given McLaren will be the team to beat from the outset.
When he was asked about winning the 2025 title, Norris gave a surprising answer by saying he had not even considered the possibility.
READ MORE: McLaren driver Lando Norris’ life outside F1 from parents to celebration
Nico Rosberg has also backed Norris for title success in 2025, given how strong some of his performances were at the end of last season.
Races in the Netherlands, Singapore and Abu Dhabi showcased just how impressive Norris can be when everything clicks on a weekend and will see him be a tough competitor against Piastri.
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