Lando Norris took the first win of his Formula 1 career in his 110th race as he took full advantage of a timely safety car and then emphatically pulled away from Max Verstappen to win the Miami Grand Prix.
Norris gave up the unwanted record of most podiums without a win in his sixth F1 season, finishing just sixth in the early stages, but McLaren’s decision to extend his opening stint worked wonders as the safety Car came caused a crash for Williams’ Logan Sargeant.
Since the cars in front of him were all in the pits by then – including leader Verstappen – Norris had inherited the lead and was then able to decisively keep it by pitting under the safety car, while his competitors on the track were all reduced speed.
The work was far from over, however, as there were still 24 laps to go when racing resumed and Verstappen, who by then had been hoping for another comfortable victory, was hot on his heels.
But Norris impressively showed no nerves and instead of having to defend himself against the world champion, he consistently pulled away from the Red Bull in the remaining laps and ultimately won by seven seconds.
Norris, 24, takes McLaren’s first victory since Daniel Ricciardo’s win at the 2021 Italian GP and only his second in the last 12 years.
Verstappen had to settle for a close second place after leading all other sessions of the sprint weekend in Miami.
Charles Leclerc, who had been overtaken by Oscar Piastri’s other McLaren at the start of the race, took third place ahead of his Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz.
After a strong race for Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton took the highest place of his difficult season so far, finishing just two seconds ahead of Sergio Perez’s second Red Bull.
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Sergio Perez’s first lap drama almost catches Max Verstappen as he stalls in the first corner of the Miami GP
Yuki Tsunoda beat George Russell’s second Mercedes to eighth place, while Fernando Alonso recovered from his disappointing qualifying to take ninth place for Aston Martin.
Alpine finally opened its points account for 2024 with Esteban Ocon in 10th place.
Continue…
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