McLaren breathe life into Formula One as Lando Norris claims stunning maiden win

McLaren’s Lando Norris has stunned champion Max Verstappen at the Miami Grand Prix to take his first-ever Formula One win.

Having run in sixth in the early stages of the race his decision to go long on his first stint paid dividends when a safety car allowed him to make a cheap pit stop and emerge in the lead.

However, with Verstappen in his wings at the restart, there was still plenty of work to be done if Norris was going to end up atop the podium.

But a calm and collected Norris along with fresher tyres and balance problems for Verstappen allowed the Briton to hold on and become the sports 114th winner.

“About time,” a delighted Norris said.

“What a race. It’s been a long time coming, at last I’ve been able to do it for my team and deliver for them.”

The Dutchman had to settle for an unusual second place, while Charles Leclerc of Ferrari completed the podium in third.

“You win, you lose, we are all used to that in racing. Today was just tricky,” Verstappen said.

“I’m happy for Lando, it’s been a long time coming and it’s not going to be his last one. He deserves it today.”

Australia’s Oscar Piastri - Norris’s McLaren teammate - finished 13th, while Daniel Ricciardo was 15th for RB.

Piastri was running in the points but a lengthy battle with Carlos Sainz saw the Australian eventually lose his front wing and had to pit.

It was McLaren’s first win since Monza 2021, when Ricciardo hit the top step.

“I knew on Friday we had the pace,” Norris said.

“Today we managed to put it together. We had the perfect strategy.

“I’ve made a lot of mistakes along the way but today we put it all together.”

Verstappen had won four of the previous five races and tops the drivers’ standings as he chases a fourth consecutive title.

He will try to restore the status quo at the Emilia Romagna GP in Italy on May 19.

MIAMI GRAND PRIX RESULTS

1. Lando Norris (McLaren)

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

4. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)

5. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)

6. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

7. Yuki Tsunoda (RB)

8. George Russell (Mercedes)

9. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

10. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)