Lando Norris acknowledges his 2024 Formula 1 championship pursuit of Max Verstappen was unrealistic, despite finishing as runner-up in the drivers' championship.

With Verstappen winning seven of the first ten races, his lead proved insurmountable. Though Norris mounted a challenge during Verstappen's ten-race winless streak, cutting the deficit to 47 points before Interlagos, a Verstappen victory in wet conditions effectively sealed the championship.

"I was never close enough to Max," Norris admitted at the FIA Prize Giving in Rwanda. "We tried for as long as possible, but anyone thinking I could catch him was probably being a little far-fetched."

McLaren secured the constructors' championship after Norris won the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Team CEO Zak Brown praised both Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri for their crucial roles in the victory, particularly highlighting their battle with Ferrari down to the final lap.

Team Principal Andrea Stella, celebrating his first constructors' title in charge, reflected on the team's remarkable turnaround: "This championship means taking McLaren to success after 26 years. We evolved from being last with zero points at the start of last year to world champions with 666 points – it's unprecedented how rapidly we progressed."

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