Norris beats Verstappen for breakthrough maiden F1 victory in action-packed Miami Grand Prix.
Lando Norris truly had a day to remember at the Miami Grand Prix, clinching his first Formula 1 victory.
Starting from sixth, Norris wasn't the immediate favourite, especially with his teammate Oscar Piastri showing early promise.
However, as fate would have it, a timely Safety Car intervention played right into Norris's strategy, allowing him to pit and rejoin the race in the lead, a position he defended masterfully against a formidable Max Verstappen.
Verstappen, struggling with his car’s balance, couldn't mount a sustained challenge and settled for second, leaving the podium to be completed by Charles Leclerc.
The race wasn't without its drama, as Carlos Sainz and Piastri tangled, leading to a pit stop for the latter for a new front wing - a mishap that saw him drop back but eventually recover to finish 13th.
Behind the leaders, the grid was bustling with action. Sergio Perez managed a fifth place, salvaging points for Red Bull, while the Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell had to dig deep to pull off sixth and eighth places respectively, on a weekend they’d rather forget.
Yuki Tsunoda and Fernando Alonso found themselves in the mix too, finishing seventh and ninth.
The race wasn't so positive for Nico Hulkenberg, who faded to 11th after a promising start, and Daniel Ricciardo, who couldn’t translate his Sprint success into Grand Prix points, ending the day in 15th.
The race was rough for Alex Albon and Lance Stroll as well; their intense on-track battle culminated in a penalty for Stroll for gaining an advantage by leaving the track.
As the race concluded, the airwaves were filled with the exhilaration of a victorious Norris and his team, marking a significant moment for McLaren, signifying not just a win for Norris but a resurgence for the team, harking back to their last triumph at Monza in 2021.
Photo credits: Formula One