The 2024 season might have culminated in Abu Dhabi with the “worst two hours” of McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown’s life, however boy was it value it. The Papaya squad are effectively and really again having secured their first constructors’ crown in 26 years, whereas Lando Norris put up an admirable problem to Max Verstappen within the drivers’ championship. It represents a merely gorgeous turnaround for a staff that started the 2023 season in direction of the again of the grid. Right here is their finish of 12 months report…
Finest end
Lando Norris – 1st in Miami, Zandvoort, Singapore and Abu Dhabi; Oscar Piastri – 1st in Hungary and Azerbaijan
This was the 12 months Norris lastly achieved that long-awaited maiden F1 win on the Miami Grand Prix – these jubilant scenes nonetheless etched into the reminiscences of everybody related to McLaren.
With these Sochi 2021 reminiscences completely banished, Norris seized the initiative and went on to attain extra victories in Zandvoort and Singapore, whereas his excellent triumph within the season finale secured McLaren their constructors’ title.
READ MORE: Jubilant Brown cites Stella’s ‘unbelievable’ management as key to McLaren constructors’ success after ‘worst two hours of my life’
It’s undoubtedly a 12 months the Briton can look again on with pleasure, having gone toe to toe with Verstappen within the drivers’ championship for a lot of the season, however there’ll nonetheless be a touch of missed alternatives – occasions in Silverstone, Austria and Monza are only a few examples that spring to thoughts.
Let’s additionally not overlook Oscar Piastri in all of this both. In simply his second F1 season, the Australian secured his first two Grand Prix wins – his triumph in Baku was notably skilful due to his gorgeous overtake and defence in opposition to Charles Leclerc – whereas his consistency performed a major half in seeing the Woking outfit take the constructors’.
