Lando Norris insists he isn’t ‘arrogant’ after Nico Rosberg criticised one ‘unnecessary’ radio message

Lando Norris is looking to emulate Max Verstappen after winning the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2024. For the last six seasons, the victor in Yas Marina has gone on to take the title the following year.

Perhaps it’s a coincidence, but it could also indicate which driver/team combination is finishing the year in the strongest position. Norris and McLaren were able to take momentum into the winter break.

Lewis Hamilton’s Abu Dhabi wins in 2018 and 2019 preceded his sixth and seventh world titles. And perhaps Max Verstappen’s 2020 triumph was a sign of his imminent, and successful, title challenge.

Verstappen was on a four-win streak at the 3.3-mile circuit, but Norris broke his stranglehold in December. In doing so, he helped McLaren seal the constructors’ crown.

Norris wasn’t able to streak clear of the pack as he had in the Netherlands and Singapore. But he controlled the race effectively and eventually finished 5.8 seconds ahead of Carlos Sainz.

With Verstappen suffering one of his worst results of the year in sixth, Norris trimmed the final points deficit to 63. Had McLaren started the year at the same level as Red Bull, he could have been far closer, if not ahead.

Lando Norris defends ‘next’s year my year’ radio message to McLaren

Speaking on the team radio after the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi, Norris declared ‘next year’s my year’. He congratulated McLaren on their first title since 1998, but now he wants the more prestigious prize.

It’s rare that an F1 driver makes such a confident prediction. But speaking to the sport’s official website, Norris clarified that it wasn’t meant in ‘an arrogant way’.

Instead, it reflects his newfound self-belief after his first season in race-winning machinery. He finally ended his drought at the Miami Grand Prix last May and finished the year with four wins and 13 podiums.

Norris is aware that he needs to ‘work harder’ to dethrone Verstappen. Individual and collective errors cost McLaren significant points last season, for all their progress.

Norris said: “Last year was that moment – where I was like, ‘I can do it’ – which is why I said what I said at the last race, not because it was overconfidence or ‘next year is my year’ in an arrogant way.

“It was just I felt like I can compete against these guys and I can fight at the top. But that never goes without the saying of I know I’ve got to work harder and work more on those things. It’s never an easy answer, it’s always complicated. Last year was a good year for realising that form myself.”

What Nico Rosberg said about Lando Norris’ radio vow at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Speaking in the days after the race, Nico Rosberg criticised Norris’ radio message. The former Mercedes driver accused him of creating ‘unnecessary’ external pressure.

Rosberg won the title in 2016 and said controlling the narrative was key to his success. Like Norris, he was trying to overhaul a dominant driver, in his case Hamilton.

Norris will receive ‘total payback’ if he wins the title at McLaren, Martin Brundle says. He showed his commitment to the team last year by signing a new long-term contract.

Brundle has praised Norris’ loyalty and says last year’s constructors’ win was vindication. He now wants to end their 17-year wait for the drivers’ trophy, stretching back to Hamilton’s days at Woking.