Miami – McLaren’s Lando Norris seized an opportunity and claimed victory, holding off Red Bull’s triple world champion Max Verstappen for his inaugural Formula One (F1) win on Sunday, May 5.
The triumph was long overdue for the Briton, Lando Norris, who had set the record for most podium finishes without a win (15), securing second place a frustrating eight times in F1’s 110 grand prix races.
Verstappen seemed set for his fifth win until a mid-race crash changed things, letting McLaren capitalize with a timely pit stop, propelling Norris to the front.
Despite Verstappen’s attempts to chase him down after the restart, his Red Bull could not match the pace of the McLaren, enabling Norris to extend his lead.
Charles Leclerc of Ferrari took third, while teammate Carlos Sainz initially finished fourth but later dropped to fifth due to a penalty. Sergio Perez moved up to fourth.
Lando Noriss expressed his happiness, stating, “About time! What a race. It’s been a long time coming. Finally, I’ve managed to do it. I’m so happy for my whole team. I finally delivered for them.” He acknowledged the challenges he had faced, saying, “Long day, tough race. Finally on top, so I’m over the moon. I’m just proud. A lot of people doubted me along the way.”
The victory was particularly significant in a season largely dominated by Red Bull, making Norris’s win immensely popular among fans.
Lando Norris seizes a long overdue triumph, surpassing his previous record for most podium finishes without a win, as he defeats three-time defending world champion Max Verstappen.
After the race, Norris received warm greetings from his team, congratulations from fellow drivers, and cheers from the crowd, including Donald Trump.
Despite Verstappen’s strong performance throughout the weekend, Norris’s win marked a significant upset. Verstappen, who continued to lead the drivers’ standings with a 35-point advantage over Perez, acknowledged the unpredictability of racing, stating, “You win, you lose.”
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton finished sixth, with Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda in seventh and George Russell in the other Mercedes in eighth. Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin claimed ninth place, while Esteban Ocon earned Alpine their first point of the season in tenth.
Verstappen led the race from pole position for the first 20 laps but faltered midway through, allowing Norris to take control and secure his first victory. Despite the setback, Verstappen commended Norris’s performance, expressing confidence that it would not be his last win.