The wait, amounting to 109 races since his debut in the World Cup, has been well worth it for Lando Norriswhich he was finally able to taste in Miami, with eight seconds to spare against Max Verstappen, the first victory of his life. Almost three years after the 2021 Italian GP, McLaren once again uncorked the champagne on one of its papaya monkeys. The delirium in the Woking shield, with Zak Brownare team principal in front. Fifth on the grid, driven by a car with many improvements, the Briton had the pace and also the luck. Because without that safety car at the right time, nothing would have been possible before Mad Max. Alternatives are welcome, in any case. Formula 1 needs them like air.
To know ms
Sancin at dawn to Sainz
Sancin at dawn to Sainz
Verstappen complained about understeer and lack of grip. Charles Leclercthird on the podium just ahead of Carlos Sainz, smiled sportingly. Neither Red Bull nor Ferrari could keep up with Norris in the second stage of the race. After abandoning him in the sprint race, Lando gave himself the great tribute on the sweltering Sunday in Florida. The manteo of his mechanics, shortly after congratulating Fernando Alonso, only represented the prelude to an unforgettable party. Few places like Miami to celebrate. To the hieratic Andrea Stellasports director, seemed to break down on the podium under the chords of the God save the King.
The usual wild atmosphere of the VIP areas, with the volume of the music challenging the roar of the cars. The 47C on the asphalt did not take its toll on the tires, but they still had to protect themselves from the heat with frozen towels. Under one of them loomed Leclerc, called to a serious responsibility. His Ferrari had to be attached to Verstappen’s rear wing.
What no one counted on was the stampede of Sergio Prez on the first curve. “They should penalize him, because he almost overtook me,” Sainz lamented over the radio after the Mexican’s maneuver, so aggressive that the stewards had to thoroughly examine his alleged false start. Carlos did enough to avoid the out-of-control Red Bull. And Oscar Piastri took advantage of this, going from sixth place on the grid to second position in just five laps.
Verstappen’s bollard
McLaren had debuted aerodynamic improvements to the brake duct, front spoiler and rear suspension. And those upgrades paid off right from the start, with the MCL34 terrifying Prez. In a race that must be resolved with a single step by boxesthe predominant role of overcut It soon became evident. Ferrari ordered Leclerc to make the opposite decision to that of McLaren, while Sainz urged his engineers to move the hazelnut.
For the third consecutive year in Miami, the action on the track was reduced to rather little. A parade similar to that in Monaco, with too many cars in a few meters, but without ever really being able to compete for position. Exceptionally, Verstappen led with just over three seconds when the equator was already approaching. On lap 22, the three-time world champion hit a bollard at the exit of turn 16. It was just the beginning of his calamities. Six laps later, a touch between Logan Sargeant y Kevin Magnussen in turns 2 and 3 would force the appearance of the safety car.
A stroke of fortune for Norris, who had a free stop, and a 10-second penalty for the Dane from Haas, a usual suspect in this type of incident. McLaren was totally serious, with the cold blood of Norris in the start against Verstappen and with a fabulous pace, stringing together fast laps. Not to mention Piastri’s brave defense against Sainz, fighting for fourth place. The crowd went crazy demanding disciplinary measures against the Australian, while his track engineer reiterated calls for calm.
Two points for Alonso
There are not many spaces at the Miami International Autodrome, nor overtaking points, so the melee between Piastri and Sainz was, in the blink of an eye, the best of Sunday. The man from Madrid became desperate looking for a place and ended up colliding, slightly, with the McLaren at turn 17. Alpha and omega for the Woking team, leading with Norris and with the Australian condemned to the red lantern. The stewards took careful note of everything and postponed their decision until after the checkered flag.
At that time, Alonso fought against Esteban Ocon in pursuit of ninth place. After so many laps in dirty air, the horizon was finally clear for the Asturian. It was not as spectacular a comeback as the 2022 Brazilian GP or the Austrian GP of that same year, but it was another strict example of his professionalism and courage. Lance Strollafter a tense melee with Alexander Albon, he was once again behind his garage partner. Another race in the points for the irreducible Asturian.