Lando Norris' Long Delayed Victory

Lando Norris finally achieved his first victory in Formula 1 after waiting 110 races since his debut in 2019.

AFP/GETTY IMAGES/CLIVE MASON

Lando Norris, a McLaren racer, celebrated his victory in the F1 championship at the United States Grand Prix held at the Miami International Autodrome circuit in Miami, Florida, USA, on Sunday (5/5/2024).

MIAMI, MONDAY — McLaren Lando Norris finally got his first win at the event Formula 1 since its debut in the 2019 season, by beating Max Verstappen in Miami, Monday (6/4/2024) early morning WIB. This was a victory that had been delayed for so long that it had raised doubts about the ability of the young British racer. Moreover, his younger teammate, Oscar Piastri, has already won in his debut season, in the sprint in Qatar 2023.

Norris finally took his first win after 110 races, completing the 14 podiums he had previously achieved. This victory in Miami answered his doubts because he achieved it after fighting with the best racer at the moment, Max Verstappen. Norris held off Red Bull's flagship driver when the race resumed after the safety car. In fact, he was able to stay away and finish with a 7.612 second advantage over Verstappen in second place. The third podium was won by Ferrari racer Charles Leclerc.

Norris believes that this victory could have been achieved earlier. His best chance was in Russia, but the decision to stay on the track after the rain turned out to be the wrong choice. Norris lost his front position because he did not use wet tires.

”It's a matter of time. Amazing race. This has been a long time coming, but I finally managed to do this. I was so happy for all my team members, I finally presented it to them. "Long day, hard racing, but finally at the top, so I'm very happy," said the 24-year-old rider at Miami's Parc Ferme.

AFP/GETTY IMAGES/RUDY CAREZZEVOLI

McLaren racer, Lando Norris, drove his car in the F1 event in the United States series at the Miami International Autodrome Circuit in Miami, Florida, United States on Sunday (5/5/2024). Norris emerged as the winner in that event.

Norris won the sixth series race of the 2024 season because he remained on the track when the racers in front of him changed medium tires to hard compound tires. He then benefited from a safety car following a crash between Kevin Magnussen and Logan Sargeant on lap 29.

Norris, who was in pole position, used the safety car to change tires so he saved a lot of time. Norris also remained in leading position when he returned to the track, followed by Verstappen.

When the race resumed, Norris performed strongly by holding back Verstappen, even pulling away from the Dutch driver beyond DRS range. Norris further extended his lead as Verstappen struggled to turn his car. Verstappen then focused on defending his second position from Leclerc's attacks.

Norris admitted that he already knew he had good pace from the practice session, and he maximized that after the safety car. He was also proud of what he did in those last 25 rounds.

"I am proud). "The whole weekend was good, I only experienced a few problems all weekend," said Norris.

Also read: One ​​more step for Verstappen to dominate Miami

This is long overdue. He raced perfectly, the car was also very fast.

AFP/ GETTY IMAGES/CHRIS GRAYTHEN

McLaren team racer, Lando Norris (left/front), led the race in front of Red Bull team racer, Max Verstappen, in the F1 event in the United States series at the Miami International Autodrome Circuit in Miami, Florida, USA on Sunday (5/5/2024). He won the race.

”I know on Friday, we had some pace, just a few mistakes here and there, but today we were able to put the whole performance together. We implemented the perfect strategy, it all paid off. "Thanks to McLaren, everyone, and of course thanks to my mother and father," said Norris.

Regarding McLaren's support, he feels grateful and proud of all the team personnel who always work hard.

"What can I say to them? I am very proud. Many people have doubted me all this time. I made a lot of mistakes in the last five years of my short career, but today we all came together. So, this is all for them," said Norris.

This victory also serves as an answer to McLaren's trust in Norris, which gave him a long-term contract, from 2022 until the end of the 2025 season.

"I stayed with McLaren because I could convince them and I really believed in them. Today really proved that," said Norris.

Also read: Lando Norris Becomes "Rain Master" for Shanghai F1 Sprint Qualifying Session

AFP/ GETTY IMAGES/CLIVE MASON

McLaren CEO Zak Brown celebrates Lando Norris' victory in the F1 US Grand Prix at the Miami International Autodrome in Miami, Florida, USA, on Sunday (5/5/2024).

McLaren CEO Zak Brown considers this victory to have been long-awaited. This is McLaren's second victory in the main Formula 1 race in 12 years. The previous victory was achieved by Daniel Ricciardo.

"This has been delayed for a long time. In my opinion, this is very popular among enthusiasts, among racers, with so many racers coming up to congratulate him. He raced perfectly, the car was also very fast," continued Brown to Sky Sports.

Brown also emphasized that this victory was achieved thanks to the team's hard work on the race track and in the factory.

"As you know, building successful Formula 1 teams does not happen overnight. There are contributions from over 1,000 people at McLaren. So, I want to thank all the men and women who have worked so hard. Going from our position last year (without points in the first two races) to where we are now is truly remarkable, and all of that is thanks to the teamwork," said Brown.

Norris received congratulations from fellow racers who were also thrilled by his achievement in Miami. This includes Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

Also read: Lando Norris Stuns at Silverstone

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Red Bull racer, Max Verstappen, performed during the qualifying session of the Miami Grand Prix Formula 1 series at the Miami International Autodrome circuit in Miami Gardens, Florida, USA, on Saturday (5/4/2024).

"I am very happy for Lando. This has been awaited for a long time and this will not be the last for him. So, he clearly deserves to achieve it today," said Verstappen, who is also a close friend of Norris.

Hamilton also expressed his joy over Norris' victory. "I told him, he needs to stay overnight (in Miami) tonight. He will try to change his flight. He has to do it. He just won the race. Achieving the first victory is a special moment," said Hamilton.

"I am very glad to see Lando finally achieve victory. It is very deserved for him. He has done an outstanding job for a long time," said Hamilton's teammate at Mercedes, George Russell.

"I am very happy for Lando, he deserves this. He has come close to achieving it several times. But, for one reason or another, he was unable to do so. However, today, he did an outstanding job and throughout this weekend he was on track," said Leclerc.