McLaren’s Lando Norris clinched his first Formula 1 victory in a thrilling Miami Grand Prix on Sunday, May 5, 2024, outshining Max Verstappen and disrupting the latter’s otherwise flawless weekend, which included a sprint race win and pole position.
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With the crowd erupting in cheers, Norris, jubilant after over 100 races and numerous near-misses, celebrated his long-awaited triumph. Before Miami, Norris held the record for the most podiums in F1 without a race win, with 15.
“Woo!” he exclaimed over team radio upon crossing the finish line. “I love you all. … We did it!”
Following the race, Norris, who initially started in fifth, joyously embraced his crew and was lifted into the air. The crowd roared “Lando! Lando!” as he proudly hoisted the winner’s trophy on the podium.
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Despite Verstappen’s strong start and lead, a mid-race safety car intervention propelled Norris to the front of the pack. After the restart, Verstappen couldn’t catch up to Norris, who surged ahead to secure victory.
Verstappen, who has dominated F1 in recent seasons, had to settle for second place, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc claimed third.
The race weekend drew a capacity crowd of approximately 275,000 attendees, with tickets selling out. Among the spectators were a host of celebrities and athletes, including Ed Sheeran, who delivered a performance, alongside Kendall Jenner, Tom Brady, and Camila Cabello.
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