There are few Formula 1 drivers as globally popular as McLaren’s star driver Lando Norris. An infectious personality of humour, great wit off the track and killer instincts on the track, Norris burst onto the F1 scene in 2019. Recognized as a major talent in the sport, Norris had a successful maiden season, finishing eleventh on the twenty-driver grid and matching up well against his more experienced teammate Carlos Sainz. Norris acclimated well to the rigour of F1 and secured his first podium in 2020 at the Austrian Grand Prix, finishing third to become the third youngest podium-finisher in F1 history. Though laden with talent and admittedly quite successful at the F1 level, one accolade had still trumped Norris as he headed into the 2024 F1 season – a win.

Norris had already secured his first podium of the season when the Miami Grand Prix rolled around after finishing third at the Australian Grand Prix. Norris’ weekend got off to a rocky start. After finishing ninth in qualifying for the sprint race, Norris was forced to retire after a three-car collision at turn 1 on the opening lap. However, Norris regained form when qualifying for the race, finishing fourth – one position higher than his Maclaren teammate, Oscar Piastri. The race began fairly uneventfully – Red Bull’s Sergio Perez made a bold move in turn 1 on the opening lap and narrowly avoided contact with the front of the field. The race continued until the first pit-stop window. The frontrunners came in for their initial pit-stops, a crew which included Norris’ teammate, Piastri. Norris, who was yet to pit, assumed control of the race. On lap 28, a collision took place between Haas’ Kevin Magnussen and William’s Logan Sargeant, which caused a ‘safety car’. During this period, a pace car comes onto the track and all cars must follow behind at a low speed to allow crews to take care of the debris on the track. All cars clump together, meaning that if a vehicle pits during this period, they can essentially lose no time due to the fact that the rest of the grid is travelling slower and because the grid must bunch up before the race resumes. Norris took this time to pit, putting on new tires. He regained the lead after the pit stop, followed by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc,  forming the top 3 heading into the restart. On lap 32, the safety car came to the pits and the race resumed. Norris was forced to defend valiantly against the pressure from three-time champion Max Verstappen. Norris would maintain the lead to cross the finish line first, winning the Miami Grand Prix for his maiden win in Formula 1!

Norris’ first win came after 110 starts in F1. Over those 110 races, Norris had amassed 15 podium finishes. Norris’ 15 podiums tied the record for most podiums in F1 before securing a first win – a record he shares with four other drivers including two-time F1 champion Mika Hakkinen. Fans had even dubbed him “Lando No Wins”. This makes Norris’ win a landmark achievement – joining an elite group of individuals who have reached the top step of Formula 1’s prestigious podium. It comes at a unique time in F1, with Red Bull and Max Verstappen looking dominant once again. Norris, along with former teammate, Carlos Sainz, are the only two drivers other than Verstappen to have won a race this season. Of the first seven races of the season, Verstappen has won five. Nevertheless, Norris’ first win is an achievement that has long been incubating and will undoubtedly be cherished by the young Brit for the rest of his career.