Lando Norris secured a remarkable victory at the F1 Miami Grand Prix, defying expectations by outpacing Max Verstappen in his Red Bull. A well-timed safety car period during Norris’s pitstop window gave him the lead at the restart. Despite predictions that Verstappen would swiftly overtake and pull away, Norris not only maintained his position but also built a significant lead, breaking DRS on the opening lap and consistently setting faster times.
Ultimately, Norris finished 7.612 seconds ahead of Verstappen, who conceded that his Red Bull lacked the performance needed to challenge the McLaren. The McLaren team, including technical director Stella, expressed surprise at the extent of their car’s superiority over the Red Bull. Stella attributed the victory to Norris’s talent and the team’s belief in him, highlighting their long-standing confidence that Norris could win when provided with competitive machinery.
Stella praised Norris’s perseverance through difficult moments and reiterated McLaren’s unwavering support for him. He emphasized that Norris’s victory was a culmination of their belief in his abilities and the hard work of the McLaren team. Stella dedicated the win to the men and women at McLaren, acknowledging their contributions to Norris’s success.
The victory held special significance as both Stella and McLaren CEO Zak Brown dedicated it to former McLaren sporting director Gil de Ferran, who passed away the previous winter.
Brown attributed the race’s outcome to the ongoing influence of de Ferran and the late McLaren part-owner Mansour Ojjeh, highlighting their contributions to McLaren’s resurgence. Brown thanked the entire McLaren team for their dedication and teamwork, noting the remarkable progress they had made since the previous year.
