After 26 years, McLaren has claimed the Constructors’ Championship. Lando Norris’s victory in Abu Dhabi sealed a well-deserved success on the track, as the MCL38 was, for much of the season, the fastest car overall. Only the errors of a team still “inexperienced” in fighting at the top meant that the championship was decided in the final race. In certain instances—thanks largely to Ferrari’s merits—too many points were squandered.
Lando Norris managed to redeem himself after an overall positive campaign. The Brit secured his first career win in Miami, followed by victories in Zandvoort, Singapore, and, most recently, Abu Dhabi. However, the season was also very stressful for the English driver, who was not yet ready to battle Verstappen on equal terms, despite having a car capable of winning as Red Bull experienced a steady decline from May onward.
Then there’s Oscar Piastri, who also celebrated his first personal triumphs with victories in Budapest and Baku, both marked by unique circumstances: Norris’s “tantrums” in one case and a shaky rear wing on the Azerbaijan city circuit’s long straight. This season showed that the Australian is undoubtedly strong, though not yet ready to compete consistently at the highest level.
And then there’s Team Principal Andrea Stella, whom few would have bet on less than two years ago when he replaced Andreas Seidl. The start of 2023 was disastrous, with McLaren fielding the worst car on the grid. However, through hard work and a few but significant updates, the team revived its status as a historic F1 brand.
McLaren, Norris, and Piastri have room to grow
The accolades for McLaren are well-deserved, spurred on by a Ferrari that has been steadily improving since the summer. Ferrari must, however, regret its failed upgrades in Barcelona. Lando Norris deserves praise, even from critics, for overcoming moments when he showed he wasn’t at Verstappen’s level. After enduring a challenging past, Norris has learned from his mistakes and executed flawlessly in Abu Dhabi, securing the win in a race that was neither predictable nor easy.
“This season taught me to believe in myself more,” admitted Norris. “Even though I didn’t achieve all the victories I wanted, especially against Max, these challenges push me to improve. I know where I need to grow and feel I’ve made significant progress in recent races. 2025 will be crucial: I want to fight for the title from the first race. This year, we weren’t fully competitive as a team, nor was I as a driver, but I’m ready for future challenges with Ferrari and other teams battling it out.”
Norris’s statement aligns with Oscar Piastri’s continued growth. The Australian secured two wins, including the controversial one in Baku, where—despite the rear wing issue—he managed to hold off Charles Leclerc under immense pressure. His inconsistency still holds him back from greater achievements, but the trajectory is promising.
“The Constructors’ title is an extraordinary result for the entire team—a true honor to be part of this historic moment for McLaren,” said Oscar Piastri. “I’m proud of the progress I’ve made since my debut and will use the offseason to prepare for 2025. I’m grateful to everyone at McLaren for the incredible work this year. I know I have room to improve, but I’m satisfied with the season. I’ve made significant strides since my debut and can be proud of the results achieved. Now, I’ll recharge and come back even stronger for 2025.”
McLaren, Andrea Stella completes the circle in Abu Dhabi
Andrea Stella deserves special mention. Many doubted him at the start of 2022 when he was promoted to Team Principal. Yet McLaren, like Ferrari today, has undergone several phases of rebuilding. The Orvieto-born engineer, with the support of CEO Zak Brown, delivered results through calm and methodical work.
“Today’s success is the result of years of investment in people and building a winning mentality,” Stella said after concluding the season in Abu Dhabi. “Having been at McLaren for a decade and Team Principal for the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of continuing an already-established journey, focusing on resilience and emotional stability. Formula 1 is a ruthless environment, and only those who develop strength and determination can succeed. Looking back at this season, I’m proud of the progress made, the maturity of the group, and the calmness with which we faced every challenge.”
The season now concluded delivered a classic battle between F1’s two most historic teams. McLaren now boasts nine Constructors’ Championships, and the next step will be to claim the Drivers’ title with Norris or Piastri. The challenge next year could be even tougher, as the competition heats up. Congratulations to McLaren, the individual efforts, and their rivals. The battle has already begun again.
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