Finally, the grand spectacle in the sun was how the Miami Grand Prix used hype to sell its high-end luxury extravaganza, and so did the stars of the show when British driver Lando Norris won his first Formula One title.
It’s been a long time coming, but Norris deserved it and sent clear notice that, given his mechanicals, he’s more than capable of putting world champion Max Verstappen to the sword.
It was a Super Bowl-style event in a destination city that Formula 1 owners longed for, and for spectators dancing and drinking in the raucous fan zone, it fit the bill. Norris was so good that he had some luck from the safety car timing, but then had to complete 24 laps with perfect accuracy as three-time world champion Verstappen appeared in his rearview mirror.
Not only is Norris composed, but as he has made clear in the past, he is not afraid to take on Verstappen whenever it comes to a head-to-head confrontation. At this moment, Norris had to complete perhaps the most intense and stressful 24 laps of his life.
It’s been a while since the 24-year-old from Glastonbury took his first win in his 110th Grand Prix after making his debut at the 2019 Australian Grand Prix. Second place, and possibly a win in Russia 2021, he was unfortunately hit by late rain, but he has repeatedly shown the skill and courage to compete with the best at the front.
For Norris, who has long shown great promise, it’s vindication for a much-admired driver. Verstappen looked to be in control from the front until the midway point of the race when the reversal occurred. McLaren took his chance before Norris pitted, taking him out and inherited the lead from there.
Verstappen pitted on lap 24 and when Logan Sargeant collided with Kevin Magnussen on lap 29, the safety car was deployed with Norris at safety. A free stop under the car ensured he was ahead of Verstappen again.
On the restart on lap 33, Verstappen struggled to get his tires up to speed and Norris opened up the gap on fresh rubber, but the race was tight and the British driver completed a series of perfect laps as he Knowing this is crucial.
A series of fastest laps followed and they began to tick away, and as unlikely as it seemed, Verstappen seemed to have nothing to bring to the table, complaining about his lack of grip. This time, Norris was in complete command from the front, delivering on what he always said he could do.
The safety car worked in his favour, but Norris held his nerve with absolute iron will and finished the race like a champion. As the laps counted down, the lead grew until he overtook Verstappen by 7.6 seconds to take his historic first victory.
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He celebrated with joyous laughter and screams in the cockpit, and Lewis Hamilton applauded him enthusiastically as the seven-time champion tied him on the lap.
“I love you all and thank you so much. We did it, Will,” he yelled to his race engineer, Will Joseph. “I think that’s how it ended up being done. I knew it when I came in this morning and I said today is the day of opportunity. Thank you mom, thank you dad, this is for my grandma. And then he threw himself into his team, The crowd rushed into their enthusiastic embrace.
The crowd also stood up and recognized his feat with a round of applause. For three years, fans have been coming to the circuit that winds around Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, but they have yet to see anyone but Verstappen take a victory. For the Dutchman to have his stranglehold broken by a rider so popular in America, and to make history as he did, is a sporting drama they highly praise.
“I’m very happy for Lando, it’s been a long time and it definitely won’t be his last and he deserved it today,” said Verstappen, who nonetheless kept his Red Bull team-mate at bay Ergio’s lead in the title race extended to 35 points as Perez finished fifth.
As the champagne was poured, it was obvious the fans were having a great time. Miami finally has a new winner, proving that it’s possible to sip cocktails in a bikini at an F1 race, just as it’s possible to stand on waterproofs in the pouring rain on the grassy knolls of Spa, as long as there’s a A great performance on the road, with Miami and Norris excelling in the department for the first time.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were third and fourth respectively. Pérez finished fifth for Red Bull, with Hamilton and teammate George Russell sixth and eighth for Mercedes, with Yuki Tsunoda Team RB finished seventh, with Fernando Alonso in ninth for Aston Martin and Esteban Ocon in tenth for Alpine.
