LANDO NORRIS was the top Trump in the Miami Grand Prix after winning his first F1 GP.
The brilliant Brit capitalised on a rare off day for the reigning world champion Max Verstappen to win this thriller at the Hard Rock Stadium.
ReutersLando Norris has claimed his first F1 Grand Prix victory[/caption]
APNorris capitalised on a rare off day for Max Verstappen to win in Miami[/caption]
Before the race it was former US President Donald Trump who was basking in the applause at the Sunshine State.
But Norris stole his thunder with a fantastic driver – and a fortuitous Safety Car – for his maiden F1 win in 110 starts.
The 24-year-old from Glastonbury has finished second eight times before and had come agonisingly close to breaking his duck.
In the 2021 Russian GP he slid off in the wet on the final few laps while leading. And he squandered the chance of victory in Qatar last year.
But the likeable Norris finally ended his wait for a win here in Miami as he finished ahead of Verstappen and Leclerc who completed the podium.
Norris signed a new deal with McLaren earlier this season in a bid to fend off interest from rival teams.
He joined McLaren’s young driver programme in February 2017 after a successful junior career.
He has built himself a reputation as a brilliantly quick and smooth racing driver and his personality has made him a hit with fans and was a popular winner.
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This race got off to a flying start when Sergio Perez gave Verstappen a scare on the opening lap when he fired up the inside and nearly took out the Dutchman.
Perez zoomed straight on and narrowly avoided contact with his teammate and the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz.
The Mexican’s error threw open the door to McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who started hunting down Verstappen.
Piastri was able to keep the Red Bull man in his sights as the world champion was unable to pull away in his usual fashion.
Verstappen was battling his Red Bull and working hard to keep it pointing in the right direction.
At one point he lost control and clattered into a plastic bollard – an unusual mistake for the reigning world champion.
He stopped for fresh tyres on lap 24, three laps after striking the bollard, which put Piastri into the lead.
Piastri then stopped himself on lap 28 for tyres which meant his teammate Lando Norris inherited first place in the race.
The Brit, who had looked all quick all weekend, was then given a substantial boost in unusual circumstances.
Kevin Magnussen, who bashed into Lewis Hamilton on Saturday earning him penalties totalling 35 seconds in sanctions, crashed into Logan Sargeant.
The US driver, who faces an uncertain future in F1, was punted into the barriers and his stricken Williams saw the Safety Car deployed.
That allowed Norris to make his pitstop and retain first place for the outright lead.
When the Safety Car finished, Norris was able to hold off the threat of Verstappen, who was unable to find a way past the McLaren.
In fact, Verstappen was more concerned with holding off Leclerc, who was doing his best to snatch second place.
It set up a thrilling finale as Norris held his nerve out in front while Verstappen toiled, he radioed his team saying: “I can’t get the car to turn. It’s a disaster!”
Behind him the Ferrari duo of Leclerc and Sainz battled and caught Piastri. The Aussie was clipped by the latter and suffered front wing damage that meant he was forced to pit, killing off his chances of a podium.
Meanwhile, Hamilton was doing his best to drag his Mercedes to a top five finish. The 39 year old was unable to find a way past Perez, who took fifth and Hamilton had to settle for sixth.
But it was Norris’s day as he celebrated his win with his team, who recorded their first victory since Monza 2020.
Norris, who was interviewed by Jenson Button, who also had to wait for his first win, said: “Ahhh. About time huh? F***! – Sorry.
“It has been a long time coming but finally, I managed to do it for the whole team. I finally delivered for them.
“It was a long race but finally on top, I am over the moon.
“The whole weekend has been good. I have had some little setbacks along the way, but I knew on Friday we had the pace but we put it all together.
“Thanks to everybody at McLaren and thanks to my mum and dad too. I am just proud.
“A lot of people doubted me along the way and I made some mistakes over the past five years but also I stuck with McLaren because I believed in them.”