The smile is Lando Norris’ trademark. Always affable, the Englishman always put aside the drama within the competitive world of Formula 1, which he arrived at the age of 19 to debut in the 2019 season with none other than the historic McLaren team, the second most winning team in history. of Formula 1 and the mecca for every young Briton who wanted to reach the top category. The Bristol-born driver accumulated races without achieving victory, but in recent times he had sensed it, accompanied by the clear advance of the Woking team. And it finally arrived at the Miami GP, the sixth date of 2024.
His smile continues and sympathy may have been taken from his great reference: Valentino Rossi. “I started racing thanks to him,” she once said.. At first what attracted me to Valentino was his colors. He was probably only five at the time and when you’re that age it’s hard to like something for any reason other than that he looks cool. When I started racing, Valentino inspired my helmet design, I gave it to a helmet designer and said, ‘I love Rossi!’ and he came up with one that was black and orange chrome,” he added. After trying his hand at horse riding and, of course, motorcycling, Norris opted for four wheels at the age of seven, when his father took him to a karting race. From there, his career was meteoric.
His talent was quickly discovered. And to that was added something fundamental to be able to advance firmly in motor sports: money. His father, Adam, is one of the richest people in Bristol and is ranked 500th in England, with a fortune of €250 million. The businessman made his fortune running a huge British pension company and then created an electric skateboard company. His father’s money was always key for Lando to dedicate himself to expensive motor sports. And he returned it with results: champion of the British Formula 4, the Eurocup Formula Renault, the Formula Renault 2.0 NEC, the Toyota Racing Series and the Formula 3. After that last crown, in 2017, he was announced as a driver of the McLaren development program. In 2019 he was promoted to starting driver, instead of Stoffel Vandoorne.
From the outset, he showed his talent and speed in the highest category of motorsport. And he accumulated podiums, but no wins. So many that He reached 15 podiums without winning, a record in the category. And finally the streak was broken in Miami, a race in which at some point he was in doubt, because days before starting the activity he suffered a blow to the nose at a party. But destiny was written.
Norris had achieved success in the 2021 Russian GP, but his decision not to stop to change tires when the rain started took its toll and success slipped away and ended with Lewis Hamilton. But everything went perfectly in Miami. To begin with, for the great work of McLaren, a team that took a huge step forward after the break in the summer of 2023. The final part of last season showed the orange cars more competitive. ANDThe finale was a great clean and jerk for the beginning of 2024. But, of course, Max Verstappen’s start was overwhelming. And when the Dutchman stumbled, Ferrari appeared with Carlos Sainz.
The team led by Zak Brown opted for Miami for a huge package of improvements to its MCL38. There were ten points that were changed in the car, which were from end to end: front and rear spoilers, new front suspension geometry, revised brake duct, clean floor, changes in lateral air flow, new engine cover and modified bodywork to improve aerodynamics, Brand new cooling vents and updated rear suspension. All of this worked perfectly, despite the hieroglyph that was the Miami track, unpredictable in terms of temperature and grip.
He had a bad time at the start. Checo Pérez’s long pass in the first corner (he entered very badly) made him rise and he finished sixth, but always with good pace. Of the front lot, he was the one who made the pit stop the longest and when he did, he was leading and the safety car came in! He took advantage of the situation to stop and return to the track ahead. And then he set a pace much higher than Verstappen and was victorious.
“I was waiting for this for a long time and I finally managed to achieve it. I’m happy for the whole team. It was a tough race, but the day came. I knew since Friday that I had the rhythm, I needed to fix some things. We did it and we had a good strategy. Thanks to my mom and dad. “I’m very proud,” said Norris after becoming the 114th driver to win in F1 and the 184th success for McLaren.
It was strange to see Verstappen in second place. His last 21 visits to the podium had been on the first step. The previous one had been in the 2023 Azerbaijan GP, which was also second. Without a doubt, the entry of the safety car was key for Max to deliver the victory. He didn’t have a good pace either when he was second and couldn’t put Norris in trouble. Maybe that chicane he cut, in which he flew through the air with his Red Bull and tore off a boundary cone, has taken its toll on the floor and front wing. It is also true that second place was important in his goal of achieving his fourth title. “You win, you lose, we are used to that. I didn’t ride well on the hard tire. When I heard the pace the McLaren was doing I realized I was lost. Lando was flying, I’m happy for him,” said the three-time champion.
Charles Leclerc completed the podium and his result cannot make Ferrari happy. Because although they scored good points, it was clear that the Scuderia is behind McLaren. The Rossa is expected to debut its first major package of improvements at Imola, the next round. He needs it, because those from Woking are no longer a threat, they are a reality. And Lando already knows about winning a race.
MIAMI GP RESULT
PILOT CHAMPIONSHIP
CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP
