F1 Miami Grand Prix LIVE: Lando Norris claims famous first F1 victory
The McLaren driver made history in Miami to upset Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc third
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McLaren's Lando Norris capitalised on a bit of good fortune to win the Miami Grand Prix on Sunday, holding off Red Bull's triple world champion Max Verstappen for his first Formula One victory.
It was a long overdue triumph for the Briton who held the record for most podiums without a win (15), having finished runner-up an agonising eight times in 110 grand prix. Verstappen had seemed well placed to claim a fifth win in six races until a midway crash allowed McLaren to cash in on a safety car period, with Norris pitting and coming out with the lead.
Seeking a Miami hat-trick of wins, the Dutchman filled Norris's mirrors on the restart but his Red Bull could offer no challenge as the McLaren pulled clear. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc completed the podium, coming home third ahead of team mate Carlos Sainz, who was later penalised five seconds for his involvement in a collision with McLaren's Oscar Piastri dropping the Spaniard to fifth. The penalty moved Verstappen's Red Bull team mate Sergio Perez up one spot to fourth.
"About time! What a race. It's been a long time coming. Finally I've managed to do it," Norris told Sky Sports. "I'm so happy for my whole team. I finally delivered for them. Long day, tough race. Finally on top, so I'm over the moon. I'm just proud. A lot of people doubted me along the way. I've made a lot of mistakes over my last five years in my short career but today we put it all together."
Relive the Miami Grand Prix and all the reaction below:
The Lando Norris gamble that inspired brilliant first F1 win with McLaren
Has there ever been a more popular winner in modern-day Formula 1? Perhaps not. After the chequered flag, everybody under the sun wanted to congratulate Lando Norris: his jubilant McLaren team, his fellow drivers, even Donald Trump, present at the Hard Rock Stadium, seemed outshone by the boy from Bristol and his unshakable smile at the end of the Miami Grand Prix.
The phrase on everyone’s lips was that it had been a “long time coming” for the 24-year-old. That’s true. 110 races, 15 podiums and one excruciating mishap in Russia three years ago speak to that. But Norris has finally entered the winners’ circle, on Sunday becoming the 21st Brit to win a Formula 1 race. For the first time in 18 months, God Save the King was belted out at the F1 podium ceremony.
As often is the case in the slender margins of elite sport, fortune played its role in the Florida heat. Norris started fifth on the grid, a day after crashing out on lap one of the sprint race, with optimism perhaps surprisingly high. He’d stated in the team briefing on Sunday morning that it was a day “full of opportunities.” Yet with Max Verstappen on pole position once again, overhauling the Red Bulls and Ferraris out in front seemed a daunting task.
The Lando Norris gamble that inspired brilliant first F1 win
The British driver capitalised on a perfectly timed safety car to beat Max Verstappen and claim his first F1 win amid joyous McLaren celebrations in Florida
Lando Norris’ Dad Adam Norris:
“I wish I was [there]. The wine is flowing in the west country. A long time coming. I was figuring out it’s 900 races I’ve been to over 16 years, but we’ve got there!
“it’s beautiful. Lewis’ Dad gave me a text, you know as a parent how many hours you put in. 350 weekends away, a lot of time but I love it, so happy for him!
“There’s a lot of bad days as well as good days. He’s got one more thing, world champion next! Thousands of texts and congratulations!
“It’s just emotional, it’s been a long journey. It takes a long time. Pleasantness of getting there, one point so far off. You get to F1, do you win a race? Feels good, amazing.”
TOP-10 AT THE MIAMI GRAND PRIX:
1) Lando Norris
2) Max Verstappen
3) Charles Leclerc
4) Carlos Sainz
5) Sergio Perez
6) Lewis Hamilton
7) Yuki Tsunoda
8) George Russell
9) Fernando Alonso
10) Esteban Ocon
F1 Miami Grand Prix: Here are the McLaren celebrations at the chequered flag!
Time for the podium!
What a moment for Lando Norris - the 21st Brit to win an F1 race!
For the first time, God Save the King plays out at an F1 race!
The first British national anthem on the podium since Geoge Russell’s victory in November 2022.
Zak Brown:
“What a drive. Car was great. Got to thank everyone back at McLaren and here.
“I don’t mind Miami, it’s my home country!”
Charles Leclerc:
“It was very tricky. I had wheelspin at the start, thought I’d crash with Checo. But we were missing a bit of pace.
“Timing of the safety car wasn’t great for us. P3 was the best we could do.
“I’m really happy for Lando, he deserves it. He arrived very close to it but he did an incredible job. They were very, very strong. He fully deserves it - now it’s up to us to bring the upgrades and catch up.”
Max Verstappen:
“You win, you lose! We’re all used to that. Today was tricky, it didn’t feel fantastic. Switched onto the hards, they had more pace, Lando was flying.
“If a bad day is P2 I take it right. I’m very happy for Lando, it’s been a long time coming. He definitely deserves it today.
“McLaren came with an upgrade, it worked right?! It wasn’t our strongest weekend.”
Lando Norris:
“About time huh! F***, sorry! It’s been a long time coming, I’m so happy for my team - I’ve managed to deliver for them. Over the moon!
“The whole weekend has been good. I knew on Friday we had the pace. Today we managed to put it together, perfect strategy and it all paid off. I have to give a shout out to my Mum and Dad as well.
“I’m proud. A lot of people doubted me along the way, I’ve made a lot of mistakes in the last five years. I stuck with McLaren because I believe in them.”
Lando Norris dives into his mechanics!
Norris dives into the crowd and surfs above the McLaren mechanics!
Incredible scenes in Miami!
Every driver comes to congratulate him! The most popular winner ever?
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