Lando Norris mentioned Charles Leclerc’s miracle restoration in Components 1’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix made McLaren extra nervous because it battled the Scuderia for the constructors’ championship.
McLaren appeared completely poised to defend its 21-point hole to Ferrari with each Norris and team-mate Oscar Piastri main Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz off the entrance row, whereas the second Ferrari of Charles Leclerc began on the rear of the sphere with a grid penalty after being eradicated in Q2.
However the papaya staff’s title bid got here underneath far more stress as soon as Piastri was spun round by Pink Bull’s world champion Max Verstappen within the first nook, whereas Leclerc made an ideal getaway and dodged sparring midfielders to achieve 11 locations in a single lap.
Leclerc continued his sturdy restoration drive to say third behind Sainz because the pair clinched a double podium on their final weekend as Ferrari team-mates, however Norris took a comparatively snug victory that sealed McLaren’s first constructors’ title since 1998.
Norris admitted that when he noticed Leclerc instantly leap to eighth on the massive screens across the Yas Marina circuit, and Piastri had been knocked out of rivalry on the entrance, there was some nervousness about McLaren being far more uncovered.
“I used to be watching the TV screens and I noticed Charles was P8 after lap one, so I used to be a bit bit nervous!” Norris grinned. “However I knew I simply needed to give attention to myself, put my head down.
“Carlos was by no means far-off. I believe the largest I received the hole to was, like, 4.2 seconds within the first stint, and that is not a really good hole for my part. It is a bit too near my consolation.
“So, it was nonetheless a tough race, and I am positive there was in all probability much more nervous individuals on the pitwall and within the storage, understanding what was at stake. I’ve received the adrenaline of the automobile and targeted on that. For them, they’re simply sitting and watching the screens, and so they have much more time to consider what can go fallacious and all of that.”
“Oscar was tremendous unfortunate, he received taken out in Flip 1. So for a minute, my coronary heart was like, ‘oh God, it is not trying as probably’. But when I simply stored my head down and stored targeted, I knew I might ship and do what I received to do.”
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, third place, congratulates Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Crew, 1st place, in Parc Ferme
Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photos
Norris mentioned he was “extremely proud” to play an element in McLaren getting again to successful methods for its first constructors’ trophy in 26 years, whereas paying tribute to the staff’s employees throughout its many departments on the observe and at its Woking headquarters.
“The larger image of us successful a championship for the primary time in 26 years, you would not have thought that if you say the identify McLaren,” he added. “It feels fallacious to say that they’ve not gained a championship in 26 years. However for me to be a part of that, for Oscar to be a part of it, is one thing we’re extremely happy with.
“And delivering that for the staff has put the largest smile attainable on everybody’s face. That is the largest reward you may give again to everybody who designs the automobile, builds the automobile, will get the companions. Everybody has performed such a giant half, so simply proud.
“After all, I am blissful I completed the season this manner, however I am far more blissful for the staff than I’m for myself.”
Pictures from Abu Dhabi GP Race
Learn Additionally:
On this article
Filip Cleeren
Components 1
Charles Leclerc
Lando Norris
Ferrari
McLaren
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