Lando Norris believes that McLaren can “100%” challenge for both Formula 1 World Championships next season after taking his maiden win at the Miami Grand Prix.
Norris took advantage of a mid-race Safety Car to pit from the lead and retain first position in Miami to bring an end to his win drought which had spanned 109 races.
But the Briton is now aiming for more success and believes that McLaren can progress to winning more races and even titles prior to F1’s regulation change in 2026.
Asked at the McLaren Technology Centre whether a championship bid was possible in 2025, Norris told Sky Sports: “100%. But I’m saying that with my feet on the ground.
“I want to believe we’ve got two great drivers, as Zak [Brown, McLaren CEO] normally says. I’ve got an amazing team behind me.
“We have an amazing team behind us, and we’re closer than ever.
“As much as I said at the beginning of this year we can win races, I want to believe and I should have the confidence to say next year we can go for more, we can go for the next step.
“But we have a lot more work to do, and we’re working hard to try and achieve it.”
McLaren’s slow start to last season prompted speculation that Norris could pursue a move elsewhere, with champions Red Bull expressing an interest in his services.
However, Norris retained optimism that the Woking-based squad could become contenders again and asserts that his breakthrough win has vindicated his confidence.
“I knew it before… I didn’t know it, but I was confident that I could achieve what we have done this weekend and we can achieve it many more times this year,” he said.
“As you can see, what it means to them, it means just as much to me. I want to continue sharing even more race wins and championships together with them. That’s our plan.”
Despite revelling in the delight, Norris has claimed neither he nor his team is satisfied and believes more opportunities to repeat his Miami exploits are possible in 2024.
When asked whether he can hope for more victories this season, Norris replied: “Absolutely. We can win more races this year.
“I think we can compete against Red Bull. I think we’re looking at an exciting season between us, Red Bull, [and] Ferrari.
“I think we still have work to do. We’re not at the level that they are just yet.
“There’s going to be races that we’re competitive enough, but there’s, on average, we’re not quite where we want to be. I think we still have our feet on the ground.
“We know we have more work to do, but as soon as they’ve all had a little drink this morning, I’m going to tell them to get back to work, so we can keep fighting even more.”
McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella assessed that Miami would take the pressure from Norris’ shoulders and help him elevate his performance to increased heights.
When those words were put to him, Norris explained that this triumph would fill him with even more confidence and desire, despite determining he’s “still the same guy”.
“I’m the same me, I’m the same person,” he said. “I believed at the beginning of the year we could win races, and we have; we’ve won that first one. So I have the faith.
“I have the confidence that we can do it as a team, and I think we proved exactly that. So, I don’t know, I’m sure some things changed.
“There’s something inside that’s changed because I’m like, I’m a race winner now, but at the same time, it doesn’t change how I approach things.
“I’m still the same guy. I still want to win more. Yeah, it makes you more hungry for winning it more than I ever had before.”
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