McLaren’s Lando Norris has finally achieved his long-awaited maiden Formula One victory in a thrilling Miami Grand Prix. The 23-year-old Briton, in his 110th race for the team, stunned reigning world champion Max Verstappen and the rest of the field to claim the top step of the podium.
Norris’s victory was a testament to his patience and strategic brilliance. Starting from fifth on the grid, he bided his time behind Verstappen and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. When Verstappen pitted on lap 24, Norris seized the opportunity to take the lead.
Crucially, Norris was able to pit during a safety car period on lap 30, giving him a significant time advantage. He never relinquished the lead, despite Verstappen’s relentless pursuit.
Verstappen, who had won four of the opening five races of the season, was left to rue his lack of pace on hard tires. He finished over seven seconds behind Norris, marking the first time he has been beaten on track since last September’s Singapore Grand Prix.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc completed the podium, while Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez finished fourth and fifth respectively. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finished sixth and eighth, while Yuki Tsunoda of AlphaTauri took seventh.
Norris’s victory was a major upset and a welcome breath of fresh air in a season that had threatened to become a one-man show for Verstappen. It was also a vindication for McLaren, who have struggled for pace in recent years.
“I knew on Friday that we had the pace,” said Norris. “Today we managed to put it together. We had the perfect strategy, it all paid off.”
Verstappen was gracious in defeat, acknowledging Norris’s deserved victory. “They just had more pace, Lando was flying,” said the Dutchman. “I’m very happy for Lando, it’s been a long time coming and it’s not going to be his last one.”
