Norris issues ‘fight’ pledge after Verstappen heartbreak

Lando Norris has pledged that he is ready to "fight" to win the F1 drivers' title this year after the heartbreak he suffered last season against Max Verstappen. 

The McLaren driver was involved in a title battle for the first time in his career at the pinnacle of motorsport last campaign, falling 63 points short. 

Verstappen secured a fourth consecutive crown with two races remaining, a moment which Norris did struggle with despite his title chances having been very slim.

"When that realisation kind of sets in of 'it's gone', it's a tough one," Norris told the BBC podcast F1: Back at Base at the end of 2024.

"This is what I've done since I was a kid, this is all I want to do. So, as soon as that kind of candle is gone and it's over, it hurts."

Whilst he was, ultimately, defeated by Verstappen, 2024 was Norris' strongest F1 season of his career, with McLaren having secured a first constructors' title since 1998. 

Going into the upcoming championship, McLaren are viewed as a potential favourite, putting Norris in a prime position to become world champion. 

He recognises this, and is ready to battle any driver who gets in his way. 

"It's been a year where, actually, I've been pretty proud of my performance. Proud of performing under the pressure that we've been under, delivering when I have," Norris said. "I've made my mistakes and, at the same time, I've learned a lot from those mistakes.

"So for us to go into next year, going 'we have what it takes, we have a car'... I believe I'm a good enough driver and I've got everything it takes.

"I'm excited to go into 2025 knowing I've learned a lot, I've improved a lot and I'm ready to bring the fight to everyone.

"Confidence is something I've struggled with in the past and probably I've only built enough up throughout this season to go 'I'm confident that I'm a good enough driver to win a championship next year' and I can bring a fight to whoever wants to fight me for it."