MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Lando Norris had a smile on his face during his postgame media availability.
His first Formula 1 victory has been a long time coming. He’s come close to success a few times, but failed due to small mistakes, such as the 2023 Olympics in Qatar, and things beyond his control, such as heavy rain and strategic calls for the 2021 Winter Olympics in Sochi. At the age of 18, he joined McLaren and joined the F1 team. times and more than 6,000 laps.
As each driver stopped for an interview at the media fence, nearly everyone said the same thing: It’s time.
Fernando Alonso predicts this will be the “first of many wins” for Lando Norris. (Kym Illman/Getty Images)
“Well done to Lando,” Fernando Alonso said. “First win after many podiums. I’m really happy for him. Hopefully he (remembers) this day – the first of many. The Aston Martin driver is not Max Verstappen, the only one who said this would not be the 24-year-old’s final victory, said: “I’m very happy for Lando. It’s been a long time. It won’t be his last. Today he was. Deserve it.
The win comes at a crucial time for the sport. Red Bull has won the last 28 grands prix in all but two races (Singapore in 2023 and Australia in 2024), both driven by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz win. Verstappen went largely unchallenged, building up a decent lead race after race. But this weekend in Miami, McLaren seized the opportunity to beat Red Bull head-on. When Norris overtook Verstappen after the safety car was deployed, it became a matter of new tires and clean air beating a very fast car.
“I’m very happy for Lando. It’s been a long time. It won’t be his last. He deserved it today,” Max Verstappen (left) said of Lando Norris (right) . (Jorge Vieira/AFP)
“He should have won a race many, many years ago,” said Mercedes’ George Russell. “I think for all the drivers in Formula One, in this era where one team and one driver dominates, it’s always great to see someone get a chance to win.”
Norris started 16th at last year’s Miami Grand Prix and finished 17th for struggling McLaren, which turned around its season in the second half of 2023 . Oscar Piastri said he was “extremely happy for (Norris) and the whole team, I think we deserve it. Our trajectory over the last 12 months has been leading up to this moment.”
Lewis Hamilton reflects on his first F1 win at McLaren in 2007. win. The Woking team’s last F1 victory came at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix with Daniel Ricciardo.
Before post-race interviews, riders typically have a brief chat with the team and a staff member gives them a pat on the helmet or back. However, as Norris blasted through the barriers with joy, the McLaren crew were equally delighted to embrace their new race winner. Emotions overflowed.
A memory that will last a lifetime! 🧡#miamigrandx 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/N1t0dc7orD
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 5, 2024
“I’m really happy for Lando. Although we all want to beat our rivals and take the lead, it’s always exciting to see how excited our rivals are,” said Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. “We all grew up together. I remember watching Lando when he was in KF3 and we both had the same dream of becoming a Formula One driver one day.
Norris is no stranger to hate, with memes and nicknames like “Lando No Wince” popping up on social media when people discuss his record. But the Brit said the words of those closest to him meant more and thanked his rivals for the praise and support. At the park and in the media box, various drivers embraced Norris and congratulated him on a moment he will likely always remember.
“It’s like when you put the helmet on, you hate them, you want to beat them, you don’t care who’s who, but I always respect the people I play against. So when someone comes up [to me], especially people who have accomplished a lot, because that always means more,” Norris said. “So when Luis, Fernando, Max, Charles, Carlos come to you or people say good things to you, I am very grateful for these things. Because from these people, it means something. Maybe from others , but that’s not the case.
“These are people who know what it takes to achieve these goals, what work, time and effort it takes.”
(Main photo of Lando Norris and George Russell: George Vieira/AFP)
