LaLando Norris Claims Long-Awaited First F1 Victory at… Read More
After 109 previous attempts, Lando Norris finally secured his first Formula 1 race victory at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, marking a major milestone in his career. The McLaren driver had long been the subject of jokes and criticism, often dubbed “Lando No Wins” despite his consistent performances. However, in a commanding and well-executed drive, Norris silenced his critics and triumphed over reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
The win came with a stroke of fortune, as the timing of a mid-race safety car played in Norris’s favor. The safety car was deployed after Haas driver Kevin Magnussen collided with Logan Sargeant, sending the Williams into the barriers at Turn 2. By then, Norris had inherited the lead, benefitting from McLaren’s strategy to keep him out longer than his competitors, who had already pitted. This meant he could make his pit stop under the safety car and rejoin the track still in front—crucially, ahead of Verstappen.
Earlier in the weekend, Miami hosted its first-ever F1 Sprint event. Unfortunately for Norris, the race ended early after a first-corner incident led to a DNF. However, hopes remained high for the main event. Norris qualified fifth, just 0.3 seconds behind polesitter Verstappen, giving McLaren confidence that a strong performance was possible.
At the race start, Verstappen narrowly avoided contact with his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez, while Norris maintained his position in fifth during the opening stint. As the race developed and front-runners began to pit, McLaren opted to keep Norris out on track longer, banking on the possibility of a safety car. Their strategy paid off when Magnussen’s crash triggered the ideal opportunity.
Norris had just taken the lead following pit stops from teammate Oscar Piastri and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz. The safety car was deployed at just the right moment, even picking up Verstappen in second, allowing Norris to make his own stop and return to the race with his lead intact. The restart came on lap 32 of 57, giving Norris 25 laps to defend his position.
Not only did he hold off the pressure, but Norris also pulled away from Verstappen, showcasing speed and composure to seal his maiden grand prix win. His victory marked a turning point for McLaren, setting the foundation for their later success in clinching the constructors’ title that season.
Adding a splash of celebrity attention, former U.S. President Donald Trump made an appearance at the event, visiting the McLaren garage and posing with the team. Ironically, six months later, Trump would win a different kind of race—reclaiming the presidency in the November 2024 election.
