P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lando Norris will start on pole position as McLaren’s day of F1 destiny awaits in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Lando Norris expressed his emotions in a heartfelt message to McLaren as they approach their crucial moment at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The team will secure the constructors’ championship for the first time since 1998 if they maintain a lead of at least 21 points over Ferrari, should Ferrari win, or 22 points if not. With McLaren set to start one-two on the grid, led by Norris ahead of Oscar Piastri, the odds favor McLaren greatly, especially with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in third and Charles Leclerc starting last due to a grid penalty. Norris reflected on McLaren’s journey, acknowledging the team’s impressive turnaround and growth, highlighting the challenges they faced breaking the dominance of Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull in Formula 1. The trajectory of McLaren’s success began to shift in 2023 with notable improvements after an upgrade at the Austrian Grand Prix, while a significant transformation in staff during Zak Brown’s leadership and Andrea Stella’s tenure as team principal was also emphasized by Norris. The journey of ups and downs, highs and lows shared with Zak Brown, the CEO, has been a significant part of Norris’s experience with McLaren, showcasing the teamwork and dedication that has propelled the team to their current position at the pinnacle of success in Formula 1.
