Lando Norris has been named as Autosport’s British Competition Driver of the Year after a sensational season spearheading McLaren’s charge to the top of the Formula 1 constructors’ championship.
Norris won his maiden F1 race at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix after battling his way through the field, running in sixth place in the early stages of the race.
He seized upon a timely safety car window to pit during his opening stint to inherit the lead and convert that into his first victory with a measured performance.
He would go on to add a further three victories over the course of the season, coming close to adding to that tally on a number of occasions.
Norris finished the season in second place in the F1 drivers’ championship and took the title fight to reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
Norris said on a video message: "I am very proud and honoured to be picking up this award for the third time, I think 2020, last year and this year, so a big thanks to my fans.
"Last year was a strong year but I hope this year is going to be even better. Thank you to all who voted for me, have a great night and I’ll see you all soon."
He scored wins in Zandvoort having taken pole position while in Singapore, where he had again taken pole, he crossed the line in first place, nearly 21 seconds ahead of Verstappen, who was in second place. It was a stunning performance at one of the toughest races on the F1 calendar.
Norris was also victorious in the season-finale in Abu Dhabi where he helped carry McLaren to its first championship title in 26 years with the constructors’ title.
In total, Norris secured 13 podiums, eight pole positions and set six fastest laps over the course of the season.
He finished the campaign in Abu Dhabi by promising that 2025 was “going to be my year too” as he eyes up another attempt to dethrone Verstappen.
Norris previously told Autosport how 2024 had provided him with valuable lessons from his battles with Verstappen, as they made contact at races in Austria, Austin and Mexico.
He said: “[Last year] we put a little bit more pressure on Red Bull and I was the one who had the chance to put [Max] under that pressure. I'm proud that it was us at McLaren. No one else was doing that.
“The last few years of my life have been a bit more about learning how to drive the car, how to be on top of a lot of other things, both on and off the track.
“I've learned what I need to be, to be a champion. It is a different mentality.”
To find out who our other Award winners are, go to autosport.com/awards
