Lando Norris declares McLaren ‘can win more races’ in triumphant homecoming
Lando Norris returned to McLaren’s Woking-based McLaren Technology Centre on Wednesday.
As a Formula 1 grand prix winner.
Fresh off his stunning win in the Miami Grand Prix, Norris returned to the MTC on Wednesday to to celebrate the victory with the entire McLaren organization, arriving in style and bringing some hardware with him:
The driver then spoke with Craig Slater on Sky Sports to discuss the race win in Miami, the potential for more victories in the future, and when McLaren can compete for a title.
“I get nervous in these situations. There’s a lot of people here for me,” started the McLaren driver.
“But we achieved it together.
“So I think that’s why we’re all here today, is I’m also celebrating it with them. But just an incredible achievement. You know, I’ve been part of McLaren for six, seven years. Eight years, almost,” continued Norris. “A lot of work has gone into it. So, I think that’s why you see it. We’re celebrating a big achievement from all of us. And we’ve done it genuinely on pace and just very happy to be spending it all with them.”
Norris then discussed the tightening field at the front of the F1 grid, and whether McLaren can taste victory again this season.
“We can win more races this year,” declared Norris.
“I think we can compete against Red Bull. I think we’re we’re looking at at an exciting season between us, Red Bull, Ferrari. I think, you know, we still have work to do. We’re not at the level that they are just yet. There’s gonna be races that we’re competitive enough,” continued the driver. “We’re not quite where we want to be. So, 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 gonna tell them to get back to work,” joked Norris.
What about a title? Can McLaren reasonably challenge for a championship next season?
Absolutely, stated Norris.
“Next year? Yes, one hundred percent. One hundred percent,” said Norris when asked if McLaren can compete for a championship in 2025. “One hundred percent.
“But I’m saying I sit with my feet on the ground, so, yeah, absolutely. I wanna believe. We’ve got two good great drivers. But as Zak [Brown] normally says, I’ve got an amazing team behind me. We have an amazing team behind us.
“So, as much as I said at the beginning of this year we can win races, I wanna 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 to try and achieve it.”
You can watch the entire interview on Sky Sports here.
Up next on the docket for Norris during his triumphant return to the MTC?
Perhaps a quick dip in the lake: