Lando Norris has already delivered an F1 season he can be ‘proud’ of

AUSTIN — Coming into this weekend’s United States Grand Prix, one of the major storylines is whether Lando Norris can catch Max Verstappen for the 2024 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship, and whether Norris and McLaren can hold on for the Constructors’ Championship.

Regardless of how those two title fights play out, however, Norris already views the 2024 season as a “year to be proud of.”

Speaking with the media during the FIA Press Conference Thursday, Norris downplayed the notion that finishing second in either championship would mean the season was not a success for himself, or McLaren.

“So, we started a very long way behind in the beginning of the year. I think everyone thought Max is gonna have an easy win in the championship. Red Wall is going to have another easy win in the championship,” began Norris on Thursday. “For that not to be the case after the gap that they had after round one, and then not even to come from, Ferrari as the main contender, but from us, a team that was probably fourth, at the start of the year, I think it’s still a year to be proud of.”

However, Norris did concede that McLaren’s success has forced him to “re-evaluate” his expectations for the campaign.

“But, as the season goes on, you always re-evaluate where do we stand now, and what’s on your expectations,” added Norris. “And our expectations now, and we see for a while, have been we’re a top team, and we’re fighting for wins and we’re fighting for a Constructors’ Championship, and we’re fighting for a Drivers’ championship.

“And we’re fighting against the best of the best and it’s been a fun year. But I think no matter what, still a successful season.”

Norris and McLaren will get their next crack at meeting their revised expectations Friday, when the Circuit of the Americas roars to life with practice, followed by qualifying for Saturday’s F1 Sprint Race.