2024-05-07 00:22:08
Lando Norris in McLaren won Sunday’s Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix and as the second driver this season he was able to beat the dominant Max Verstappen. Before him this year, only Carlos Sainz junior could do it in Melbourne.
Norris had his first career triumph in Florida, the last time the Woking car won in September 2021. That was when Daniel Ricciardo triumphed in Monza.
“I finally got it. I’m happy. I knew it already in the morning when we came to the circuit. Thanks mom, thanks dad! It’s also for my grandmother,” said the driver, who won the race for the first time since the Formula 2 race in Bahrain six years ago.
The Briton in the service of the British stable beat the Dutchman by almost eight seconds. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc followed them.
There was no sign of a sensation in the first half of the Grand Prix. Verstappen secured the lead after starting from pole position. On lap 24 of 57, he went to change tires.
Norris took the lead, followed by a collision between Kevin Magnussen in the Haas and Logan Sargeant. The American Williams driver stopped in the second corner and the safety car came out on the track.
Norris took advantage of that. He suddenly gained a good ten seconds in the pits, thanks to which he returned to the track at the head of the field.
The 24-year-old Brit kept the first position even on the restart. Verstappen then complained about the understeer of his Red Bull and started losing to McLaren.
Norris could thus celebrate an unexpected triumph at the finish line of the race in Miami. It was the first victory for the British since last year’s VC Brazil, where George Russell was the fastest in Mercedes.
Bristol-born Norris won on the second day after failing to finish the sprint in Miami and also being fined €50,000 for running over the track during the safety car.
The championship continues on May 19 with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, Italy.