In a stunning turn of events at the Miami Grand Prix, McLaren’s Lando Norris secured his first-ever Formula 1 victory, outmaneuvering Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to claim the coveted checkered flag on Sunday.
Norris, a rising star in the British and Belgian racing circuit, started the race in sixth position, trailing behind teammate Oscar Piastri who initially showed promise for an upset. However, a strategic move during a mid-race Safety Car period propelled Norris into the lead, with Verstappen relegated to second place after a routine pit stop.
Despite a fierce challenge from Verstappen during the restart, Norris displayed remarkable composure and skill to defend his position and gradually pull away from his rival. His flawless performance, coupled with Verstappen’s balance issues, sealed his victory, erasing the disappointment of his close miss at the 2021 Russian Grand Prix.
Verstappen, grappling with difficulties behind the wheel, settled for second place, while Charles Leclerc clinched third, followed by Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz. The race saw Sergio Perez securing fifth position for Red Bull, with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finishing in sixth and eighth place respectively, salvaging crucial points for their team amidst a challenging weekend.
Yuki Tsunoda claimed seventh place for Red Bull, with Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin finishing ninth and Esteban Ocon of Alpine securing the final spot in the top ten, marking a morale-boosting achievement for the team.
McLaren’s hopes were further buoyed as Piastri, despite setbacks including a front wing change, battled his way to 13th position, cautioned by the team to avoid triggering another incident.
The race witnessed intense competition throughout the grid, with Daniel Ricciardo finishing in 15th place for McLaren, followed by Valtteri Bottas and Lance Stroll. Stroll’s aggressive battle with Williams rival Alex Albon resulted in a penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.
Albon, the final finisher, crossed the line in 19th place, behind Kevin Magnussen of Haas, who served a penalty for a collision that ended Williams driver Logan Sargeant’s race prematurely.
As Norris celebrated his historic win over the radio with his team, emotions ran high, marking a significant milestone for both the driver and McLaren, who secured their first Grand Prix victory since Monza in 2021.
About Lando Norris:
Lando Norris, born on November 13, 1999, in Bristol, UK, emerged as a British racing sensation, making his Formula 1 debut with McLaren Racing during the 2019 FIA Formula One World Championship. A protégé of the McLaren Young Driver Programme, Norris transitioned to F1 following a successful debut season in the FIA Formula 2 Championship, stepping into the shoes of Stoffel Vandoorne. Lando Norris is the 21st British driver to win an F1 race
