In a thrilling Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, Lando Norris clinched his maiden victory, outpacing Max Verstappen by 7 seconds. Norris seized the advantage during a pivotal moment when he made his single pitstop under a safety car period, unlike his competitors, following a collision between Kevin Magnussen and Logan Sargeant.
Verstappen, who had previously triumphed in both editions of the Miami GP, had already completed his pitstop when the safety car intervention occurred. Earlier, he triggered a virtual safety car by hitting and dislodging a bollard at Turn 15, admitting to struggles with his car’s handling.
This defeat marked only the second time in the 2024 season that Verstappen had been bested, the first being his retirement from the Australian GP due to a brake issue. Reflecting on the race, Verstappen acknowledged the challenge posed by McLaren’s pace, particularly on the hard tire stint, where Norris demonstrated remarkable speed.
Despite finishing second, Verstappen maintained a positive outlook, emphasizing the unpredictability of racing and expressing happiness for Norris’s well-deserved victory. He also hinted at the need for improvement from his team, acknowledging McLaren’s effective upgrades and promising to analyze their performance to bounce back stronger.
Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc praised Norris for his stellar performance throughout the weekend, acknowledging his consistent strength and determination. Leclerc, who secured third place behind Verstappen, highlighted Norris’s long-overdue success and credited him for seizing the opportunity to claim victory in Miami.
