Norris beats Verstappen for first F1 win in Miami

ByNATE SAUNDERS
May 5, 2024, 5:49 PM

MIAMI - At the 110th time of asking, Lando Norris can finally call himself a Formula One race winner.

The British driver capitalised when a mid-race Safety Car vaulted him ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen and into the lead of the race, one he never relinquished.

Norris had started sixth but a collision between Williams' Logan Sargeant and Haas' Kevin Magnussen on lap 28 altered the course of the grand prix.

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The safety car which followed effectively gave Norris a free pit-stop and allowed him to restart ahead of runaway championship leader Max Verstappen, who finished 7.6 seconds adrift in second position.

Norris was jubilant after the finish, shouting: "WOOOOOOOOOO! WOOOOOOOOO! About f------ time!" on the team radio.

"I guess that's how it's done. Finally! Finally! I'm so happy. I knew it when I came in this morning, I said today is the day of opportunity and I nailed it, and you nailed it."

Coming into Miami, Norris held the unenviable record of the most podium finishes (15) without a victory, although he has now consigned that to the history books.

The British driver was given McLaren's upgraded package for the race but had not shown the true pace of the car after a poor sprint qualifying and an early retirement from the sprint race itself.