MIAMI, MONDAY — McLaren racer Lando Norris finally achieved his first victory in Formula 1 since his debut in the 2019 season, by beating Max Verstappen in Miami, Monday (6/4/2024) early morning WIB. This was a victory that had been delayed for so long that it had raised doubts about the ability of the young British racer. Moreover, his younger teammate, Oscar Piastri, has already won in his debut season, in the sprint in Qatar 2023.
Norris finally took his first win after 110 races, completing the 14 podiums he had previously achieved. This victory in Miami answered his doubts because he achieved it after fighting with the best racer at the moment, Max Verstappen. Norris held off Red Bull’s flagship driver when the race resumed after the safety car. In fact, he was able to stay away and finish with a 7.612 second advantage over Verstappen in second place. The third podium was won by Ferrari racer Charles Leclerc.
Norris believes he should have achieved this victory earlier. His best chance before was in Russia, but the decision to stay on the track following the rain turned out to be the wrong choice. Norris also lost his leading position because he did not use wet tires.
”It’s a matter of time. Amazing race. This has been a long time coming, but I finally managed to do this. I was so happy for all my team members, I finally presented it to them. “Long day, hard racing, but finally at the top, so I’m very happy,” said the 24-year-old rider at Miami’s parc ferme.
AFP/GETTY IMAGES/RUDY CAREZZEVOLI
McLaren team racer, Lando Norris, drives his car in the United States F1 series at the Miami International Autodrome Circuit, Miami, Florida, USA, Sunday (5/5/2024). Norris became the winner in that event.
Norris won the sixth series race of the 2024 season because he remained on the track when the racers in front of him changed medium tires to hard compound tires. He then benefited from a safety car following a crash between Kevin Magnussen and Logan Sargeant on the 29th lap.
Norris, who was in pole position, used the safety car to change tires so he saved a lot of time. Norris also remained in leading position when he returned to the track, followed by Verstappen.
When the race resumed, Norris appeared very solid by keeping Verstappen behind him, even keeping the Dutch racer out of the DRS distance. Norris was getting further away because Verstappen was having difficulty turning his car. Verstappen then focused on maintaining second position from Leclerc’s attacks.
Norris admitted that he knew he had a good pace since the practice session, and he maximized that after the safety car. He was also proud of what he did in those last 25 rounds.
“I am proud). “The whole weekend was good, I only experienced a few problems all weekend,” said Norris.
Also read: One more step for Verstappen to dominate Miami
This is long overdue. He raced perfectly, the car was also very fast.
AFP/ GETTY IMAGES/CHRIS GRAYTHEN
McLaren team racer, Lando Norris (left/front), leads the race ahead of Red Bull team racer, Max Verstappen, in the United States F1 series at the Miami International Autodrome Circuit, Miami, Florida, USA, Sunday (5/5/2024) . He won that race.
”I know on Friday we had some pace, just a few mistakes here and there, but today we were able to put the whole performance together. We implemented the perfect strategy, it all paid off. “Thanks to McLaren, everyone, and of course thanks to my mother and father,” said Norris.
Regarding McLaren’s support, he feels grateful and proud of all the team personnel who always work hard.
”What can I tell them? I’m very proud. Many people doubted me during this time. I made a lot of mistakes in my last five years, my still short career, but today we put it all together. So, this is all for them,” said Norris.
This victory is also a response to McLaren’s trust in Norris, who gave him a long-term contract, from 2022 until the end of the 2025 season.
”I stayed with McLaren because I could convince them and I really believed in them. “Today really proved that,” said Norris.
Also read: Lando Norris Becomes “Rain Master” for Shanghai F1 Sprint Qualifying Session
AFP/ GETTY IMAGES/CLIVE MASON
McLaren CEO Zak Brown celebrates Lando Norris’ victory in the United States F1 series at the Miami International Autodrome Circuit, Miami, Florida, USA, Sunday (5/5/2024).
McLaren CEO Zak Brown believes this victory has been long awaited. This was McLaren’s second win in a major Formula 1 race in 12 years. Daniel Ricciardo won the previous victory.
”This is long overdue. I think it was very popular among the fans, among the riders, with so many riders coming up and congratulating him. “He raced perfectly, the car was very fast,” Brown continued to Sky Sports.
Brown also emphasized that this victory was achieved thanks to the team’s hard work on the race track and in the factory.
“As you know, building Formula 1 teams into success doesn’t happen overnight. There are contributions from more than 1,000 people at McLaren. So, I want to thank all the men and women who have worked so hard. “Going from where we were last year (with no points in the first two races) to where we are now is incredible, and it’s all because of teamwork,” said Brown.
Norris received congratulations from other drivers who were also happy with his achievement in Miami, including Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
Also read: Lando Norris Stuns at Silverstone
AFP/CLIVE MASON
Red Bull racer, Max Verstappen, in action during the qualifying session for the Formula 1 Grand Prix Miami series at the Miami Autodrome International Circuit, Miami Gardens, Florida, USA, Saturday (4/5/2024).
”I am very happy for Lando. This has been a long time coming and it won’t be his last. So, he clearly deserved to achieve that today,” said Verstappen, who is also a close friend of Norris.
Hamilton also admitted that he was happy with Norris’ victory. ”I told him he needed to stay (in Miami) tonight. He will try to change his flight. He had to do that. He just won the race. “Achieving your first win is a special moment,” said Hamilton.
”I am very happy to see Lando finally achieve victory. This is very appropriate for him. He has done an extraordinary job over a long period of time,” said Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate, George Russell.
“I’m very happy for Lando, he deserved this. Very often he almost achieved this. But, for one reason or another, he couldn’t do that. However, today, he did an extraordinary job and all weekend he was on that path,” said Leclerc.