Lando Norris achieved his long-awaited first Formula 1 victory at the Miami Grand Prix, marking a milestone in his career with McLaren.
Norris, who had the most podiums without a win, seized the lead after a Safety Car intervention and showcased exceptional pace, leaving Max Verstappen and other competitors trailing.
The race unfolded with Norris initially in sixth place, but a strategic call by McLaren to delay his pit stop coincided with a crash involving Williams’ Logan Sargeant. This allowed Norris to pit under the Safety Car and maintain his lead. Upon the restart, Norris didn’t just defend his position; he extended his lead over Verstappen, securing a convincing win with a 7.6-second gap.
This triumph is McLaren’s first since the 2021 Italian GP and a significant achievement for Norris, who expressed his elation amidst the team’s celebrations.
Verstappen, accustomed to finishing first, had to content himself with second place, a rare occurrence for the reigning world champion.
The Miami GP concluded with the following top 10 standings:
- Lando Norris, McLaren
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull
- Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
- Sergio Perez, Red Bull
- Carlos Sainz, Ferrari*
- Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
- Yuki Tsunoda, RB
- George Russell, Mercedes
- Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
- Esteban Ocon, Alpine
Ferrari’s prospects were high post-qualifying, but they faced a setback at the race’s start. Oscar Piastri of McLaren overtook both Ferrari cars, impacting their strategy. Leclerc managed to secure third place, followed by Sainz, who received a post-race penalty, relegating him to fifth behind Perez.
Hamilton delivered his best performance of the season, finishing sixth, while Tsunoda and Alonso also made notable recoveries in the race standings. The event was a mix of strategic brilliance and racing prowess, culminating in a memorable victory for Norris and McLaren.
Reported By Sky Sports
