Lando Norris achieved his first Formula One victory by winning the Miami Grand Prix, delighting a celebrity-packed audience. Starting fifth on the grid, Norris took the lead and capitalized on a safety car incident to pit while leading, rejoining the race in front. The 24-year-old British driver maintained his lead after the restart, ultimately finishing 7.612 seconds ahead of second-placed Max Verstappen from Red Bull.
Charles Leclerc of Ferrari completed the podium in third place. This victory marked a significant milestone for Norris, erasing a history of close calls—he previously held the record for most podium finishes (15) before a first win.
Post-race, Norris expressed his pride and gratitude, particularly towards his team, McLaren, stating, “I’ve made a lot of mistakes over my last five years in my short career but today we put it all together… This is all for the team.” His victory also marked McLaren’s first grand prix win since 2021, underlining a triumphant return for the team.
Zak Brown, McLaren CEO, praised Norris for his overdue victory and noted the widespread support he received from fans and fellow drivers alike. Norris now ranks fourth in the 2024 driver’s championship, 53 points behind leader Verstappen, who lauded Norris’s performance and predicted further wins for him.
The Miami Grand Prix, held at the Miami International Autodrome, drew celebrities such as Tom Brady, Blackpink’s Lisa, Camila Cabello, Ed Sheeran, and Anthony Mackie, alongside sports stars like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Odell Beckham Jr., and Fred Kerley. Former US President Donald Trump also attended. The event confirmed its growing popularity with a record attendance of 275,000 over the weekend, surpassing the previous year’s 230,000. The F1 season continues with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Italy starting May 17.
