Lando Norris was in contention for a first Formula 1 title in 2024 but failed to reduce an early advantage Red Bull had eeked out.
Max Verstappen managed to keep the Brit behind fairly comfortably in the end, but it didn’t mean that there weren’t any hairy moments along the way.
Norris clashed with the four-time champion at multiple races, including one where his rival was penalised to the tune of 20 seconds at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
McLaren had to focus on the fight for two titles at the same time, but once Verstappen had confirmed their Drivers’ Championship fate, they turned their full attention to the Constructors’, which they won.
Team boss Zak Brown had concerns about Norris’ first title fight that were just the ‘norms’, but they didn’t quite have enough in the tank to beat Red Bull in the end anyway.
After finishing the season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with the fastest car, just ahead of Ferrari, 2025 promises to be an exciting year for the Woking-based outfit.
Zak Brown ‘injured’ Lando Norris with a poor shot at golf in F1 summer break
Last year’s Formula 1 summer break was one filled with a lot of optimism for McLaren who had high hopes of winning both championships at the time.
Oscar Piastri called the 2024 season very special for McLaren who had made a huge jump past their rivals with superior development again.
The heavy 24-race schedule left drivers and teams in need of a much-deserved break in the middle of the summer.
READ MORE: How McLaren’s ‘complications’ with team orders could see Oscar Piastri beat Lando Norris in 2025
Norris took this opportunity to go golfing with his boss Brown, and it backfired after the American sent a poor shot into his back, leaving a nasty bruise.
“Zak was in a bunker a long long way behind us,” he said. “He somehow hit it surprisingly too well for his ability. And he shouted ‘fore!’ so we all ducked, but I looked away from where the ball was coming from rather than probably looking towards it.
“I don’t actually know what I’m meant to do, but I ducked and the ball went straight into my back. Zak’s got a nice picture of where he has injured me once again.”
Are McLaren the 2025 F1 championship favourites?
Piastri plans to avoid McLaren team orders in 2025 by putting himself in a stronger position at every race weekend.
The Australian driver was often slightly too far back from his teammate and it’s why they wanted to use him against Red Bull in the fight for the Drivers’ Championship.
McLaren have been warned to be careful with their slow corner pace in 2025, an area where their car has struggled more than their rivals.
READ MORE: Max Verstappen’s Red Bull data revelation highlights the massive task facing Lando Norris in 2025
It’s the only major area of concern for the team that ended 2024 on top of the world after earning their first title since 2008.
The season-opening Australian Grand Prix will suit their car’s characteristics and they will be in contention for victory. The only question that remains to be seen is whether their rivals have caught them at all.
