Lando Norris says his first Formula One win was “a long time coming” after the Brit took the chequered flag in Miami.
Norris, 24, looked pacey in the McLaren all weekend despite qualifying fifth for the race.
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Red Bull’s Max Verstappen looked to have the race covered as usual but could not pull away from the chasing pack, including Norris’ team-mate Oscar Piastri, who was the closest man to the world champion until the safety car emerged with 27 laps to go.
The 24-year-old from Glastonbury benefitted from a cheap pit stop and emerged in the lead of the race for the restart.
He did not get away very well and had Verstappen all over his gearbox, but managed to keep the charging Bull behind.
In the end, Norris managed to pull out a 7.5-second gap to his rival and send the fans and mechanics dressed in papaya crazy as he finally got to stand on the top step of the podium after 15 races in either third or second.
Formula 1’s newest race winner, and the guy who gave him his break 🧡#F1 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/t0H0vA3Twk
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 5, 2024
At the end of this 110th grand prix start and first victory, he said: “A long day, a tough race, but finally on top so I’m over the moon.
“I’m so happy for my whole team, I’ve finally been able to deliver for them.
“What a race, it’s been a long time coming but finally I’ve been able to do it.
“I’m just proud really. I mean, a lot of people doubted me along the way.
“I’ve made a lot of mistakes over the last five years, my short career, but today we put it all together so this is all for the team.”
Norris had previously been the sport’s record-holder for a driver that has been on the podium the most times without a win.
But he will now be keen to push on after seeing McLaren’s significant upgrades give them the edge in Miami.
Next up is a trip to Imola in Italy where the Brit will be hoping to be just as competitive and prove his maiden triumph was not just a fluke.
