McLaren’s Magician: Lando Norris, Grand Prix Winner
Several podiums, several attempts at a win, and now finally a victory. Lando Norris, the young McLaren magician, claimed his first-ever victory in Formula 1 at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix.
A win that went beyond crossing the checkered flag first—a testimony to his growth, his maturity, his resilience, and his relentless pursuit of excellence.
In 2021, we saw a previous attempt at a win in Sochi. A near miss. So tantalisingly close to a victory. Norris had started on pole that weekend. A first-lap overtake by Sainz left him second, but on the 13th lap, Norris overtook his former teammate and led the grid for almost the entire race, until rain ensued.
Norris decided to stay out on slicks while Hamilton behind him had pitted for intermediate tyres, a call that his team had urged him to change several times. On lap 52, he aquaplaned off turn 5, handing the lead to Hamilton, and then proceeded to pit.
Hamilton took his 100th win that weekend, and the tactical misstep left Norris in 7th place, tail between his legs. A moment where desperation overtook maturity. A mistake made. A lesson learned.
Despite that instance, the Briton has had several commendable performances, grasping podium finishes whenever in hands’ reach. And in Miami this weekend, Norris displayed his prowess once again. He started sixth and maintained his position in the early stages of the race.
The McLaren looked strong during the race but stuck behind Perez’s Red Bull, Norris was unable to take advantage of his pace. The turning point came when Perez pitted, granting Norris a clear path to chase down Sainz. Capitalising on safety cars, Verstappen’s struggles and leveraging his own confident drive, Norris surged ahead, crossing the finish line victoriously in his 110th Grand Prix start—a hunger finally satiated.
“I’ve had my moments where we’ve been close and I’ve never been able to convert it into the win,” Norris said.
“As much as a lot of people doubted that I was going to be able to put it together and win a race, I wasn’t worried.
“I’ve been more confident than ever this year that I’ve got what it takes and the team have got what it takes and I was patient with it…I knew my time was coming.”
McLaren Team Principal, Andrea Stella commented on his maturity.
“As soon as he saw there wasn’t much to do after the first lap, he started to save his tyres because he knew his race would come at some stage.
“The pace he was able to pull off when the cars ahead of him pitted, that was quite incredible. He was getting the most out of the material he has.
“We needed to provide him with winning material. And as soon as we did it, he achieved it.”
The scenes at Parc Ferme were ones to remember. Norris’ run and jump stage dive into his papaya orange-donning team’s arms. He was lifted high, the collective triumph of a team dedicated to getting back on the top step of the podium.
Perhaps there was magic in Miami’s air this weekend for McLaren’s magician—his drive, a masterclass. Relief, yes, but oh jubilance!
