For the first time in his Formula 1 career, Lando Norris has won a Grand Prix and he easily held off Max Verstappen during the Miami Grand Prix.
It was clear that Lando Norris had some serious pace during the weekend and the new upgrades that McLaren delivered appeared to make the difference.
As the cars made their way around the track after the chequered flag had been waved, Sky Sports F1 commentator Martin Brundle gave his thoughts on a historic win.
Not only that, but he spotted what three-time world champion Max Verstappen did after the race.
The Dutch driver has won every race he’s finished so far this season until the race in Florida.
It might be a sign that Red Bull aren’t going to have it all their own way this year like they did in 2023…
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It was a timely race for Red Bull’s control over the rest of the grid to come to an end.
Adrian Newey announced he would be leaving the team in 2025 and given he’s designed car after car after car for Red Bull that have gone on to win world championships.
While there’s no suggestion that Norris is going to end Verstappen’s stranglehold on the Drivers’ Standings after his win in Miami, it shows that the gap is closing.
However, the last time Verstappen was beaten – when his car failed in Melbourne and Carlos Sainz won the race – the 26-year-old returned with a vengeance on the following weekend and didn’t give any of his rivals a chance.
Ferrari looked competitive throughout the weekend as well and Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz finished 3 and 4.
It was Oscar Piastri who ultimately lost out when at one point it looked like he was a shoo-in for a podium.
He pitted just at the wrong time before the safety car that helped Norris earn his first win and then contact with Sainz broke his front wing forcing him to pit.
A mixed-race for McLaren in the end, but Norris standing on the top step of the podium will help soothe the blow of his Australian teammate missing out.
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Talking on commentary after the race, Brundle said: “He’s a super popular young man is Lando Norris and Max Verstappen takes the time to say well done to him.
As Verstappen drove past Norris on the cooldown lap in Miami, the Red Bull driver can be seen lifting his hand out of the car and giving his friend and rival a thumbs-up after achieving his maiden Formula 1 win.
Brundle continued: “What I was going to say and I didn’t want to do any kind of commentator’s curse is it’s not some crazy wet race or whatever.
“He’s beaten both Ferraris, both Red Bulls fair and square, that’s what will be extra satisfying about this victory.”
When they parked up on the grid after the race, Verstappen simply said: “Well done!” to his close friend.
Even Fernando Alonso – who didn’t finish on the top three and wasn’t parked on the main straight – made the effort to find Norris and hugged him, having previously worked together during the Spaniard’s time with McLaren.
Lando Norris only reached the first corner in the Sprint Race after being caught up in a collision involving both Aston Martins and Lewis Hamilton.
In the build-up to the Miami Grand Prix, Norris named the one race that got away from him in the past that should have earned him his first victory.
After 110 attempts, he finally ended that long wait and it’s unlikely to be the last time he stands on the top step of the rostrum.
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