McLaren can mount a Formulation One championship problem subsequent season after taking the battle to Crimson Bull in 2024, Lando Norris mentioned on Thursday because the staff celebrated his first Grand Prix victory.
The Briton’s win in Miami on Sunday was McLaren’s first since Australian Daniel Ricciardo led Norris in a 1-2 at Monza in 2021.
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McLaren, the second most profitable staff in F1 historical past by way of race wins, haven’t gained a title since now-seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton claimed his first in 2008.
Requested whether or not McLaren may very well be championship contenders in a 12 months’s time, Norris instructed Sky Sports activities: “100%. And I am saying that also with my ft on the bottom.
“As a lot as I mentioned firstly of this 12 months we will win races, I wish to imagine and I ought to have the arrogance to say subsequent 12 months we will go for extra, we will go for the following step.”
Norris beat Crimson Bull triple world champion Max Verstappen by 7.6 seconds on Sunday after a security automotive interval fell to his benefit. Verstappen had gained 4 of the earlier 5 grands prix this season.
Crimson Bull revealed after the race that the Dutch driver had broken the ground of his automotive when he hit a bollard.
“I am certain one thing’s modified, there’s one thing inside that is modified as a result of I am a race winner now, however on the identical time it would not change how I method issues. I am nonetheless the identical man; I nonetheless wish to win extra,” Norris mentioned.
He added that McLaren, who’re third within the constructors’ championship with Ferrari second, may win extra races this 12 months.
“I feel we’re an thrilling season between us, Crimson Bull, Ferrari. We nonetheless have work to do; we’re not on the degree that they’re simply but,” he mentioned.
Norris additionally anticipated the dynamic with Verstappen, a buddy, to vary.
“I am certain it’s going to… We’ve got respect for each other, we get alongside. We’re not finest buddies, we do not textual content one another each day, however we simply have loads of respect,” he mentioned.
“I wish to problem him, I wish to race in opposition to him, I wish to battle as a result of I feel he is top-of-the-line drivers ever in F1. So if I can show myself in opposition to him, I am proving myself in opposition to top-of-the-line.”