Lando Norris shines in Miami. The British driver is on the top step of the podium for the first time in his Formula 1 career.
Lando Norris was the star of the Miami Grand Prix. The driver has now finally earned his first win ever since he joined the Formula 1 grid in 2019. His win was a mix of good luck and hard work from the McLaren team. Andrea Stella’s team brought a series of upgrades in Miami that made the papaya cars the fastest on the track. And even the unstoppable Max Verstappen couldn’t keep up with Norris.
At the Miami Grand Prix, after 110 races and 15 podiums, finally Lando Norris held the P1 trophy.
Lando Norris.
F1 Race Winner. #MiamiGP 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/evapj6N0rk
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 6, 2024
But it didn’t start well
The race week in Miami didn’t start well for Lando Norris. The car was fast and set really good times during the Qualifying session. However, in Q3, he wasn’t able to put it all together to gain pole or even the first row. While Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc celebrated their front row, the McLaren was 5th. Even the Sprint race wasn’t positive for Norris. He qualified in 9th position and had a DNF during the race after a collision with Lance Stroll.
On Sunday, he overtook Sergio Perez while the Red Bull driver tried to stick behind his own teammate. However, the Mexican regained the position after the first lap. Norris was again in P5 and tried to go wheel-to-wheel with Perez again.
And then the Safety Car happened
The race started to get exciting around lap 22 when Verstappen went off track. The RB driver hit a signalling skittle and it fell in the middle of the track. Race Control decided on a yellow flag and then a Virtual Safety Car. Verstappen then pitted under the VSC and came back IN P4, behind Charles Leclerc.
At the front, Carlos Sainz and the two McLarens stayed outside, continuing their race out front. On lap 28, the Ferrari and Oscar Piastri pitted for Hard compounds, while Norris became the new race leader.
It was then that another unexpected turn of events happened. Kevin Magnussen caused a collision with the Williams of Logan Sargeant. The two cars went off the track and the Williams crashed against the barriers. Sargeant had to retire while the Haas was under investigation and then penalised.
A day we will never forget! 🧡#MiamiGP 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/vJSlAwYiup
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 6, 2024
It was necessary to remove the car and another Safety Car was then deployed. It was a stroke of luck for Lando Norris, who could finally pit. He came back on the track right ahead of Verstappen, in P1 once again. When the SC ended, the McLaren number 4 was put under pressure from the Red Bull, but Norris was able to create a very comfortable gap between him and Max. The gap had grown to 7 seconds by the final lap.
And, unexpectedly, the 24-year-old Lando Norris became a Formula 1 Grand Prix winner for the first time in his career.
