Lando Norris has finally won his first Formula 1 race at the 110th attempt. In doing so, he shed one of the sport’s most undesirable records.
When he finished third at the Australian Grand Prix in March, Norris surpassed Nick Heidfeld for the most podiums without a victory (14). He increased that tally to 15 in China last month.
But Norris’ day finally arrived in Miami. He capitalised on a fortunately-timed safety car to take the lead of the race from Max Verstappen, and then streaked clear until the chequered flag.
The 24-year-old has come agonisingly close on a number of occasions. He would have converted his first-ever F1 pole in Russia in 2021 were it not for a late rain shower and an erroneous strategic gamble.
And last year in Singapore, former teammate Carlos Sainz narrowly held him off on a weekend where Red Bull suddenly dropped off a cliff. Norris also feels he could have won in Qatar but for a blunder in qualifying.
His triumph means 12 of the 20 drivers on the grid have taken the chequered flag. He stands level with Mercedes’ George Russell and Alpine duo Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon.
Lando Norris delighted to silence social media critics
Speaking in the drivers’ press conference after the race, Norris explained how he’d drawn motivation from trolls on social media. He says the comments under his Instagram posts are often flooded with the ‘Lando No-wins’ nickname.
The Briton thanked his doubters for giving him added fuel and making his victory even more enjoyable. It’s only the second time a McLaren driver has won since he entered the sport in 2019 after Daniel Ricciardo led a one-two at Monza in 2021.
“I go on Instagram and I like all the comments of people abusing me, I freaking love it,” Norris said. “It makes me smile more than anything, especially Lando No-wins.
“That’s become the thing. And yeah, for me to finally prove those people wrong and prove to people that didn’t think I could go out and do it, it’s put an even bigger smile on my face today. So I thank all of them.”
How Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton reacted to Lando Norris win
The reaction to Norris’ long-awaited success has underlined that he’s a popular figure in the F1 paddock. Verstappen, a close friend off the race track, said ‘well done’ in parc ferme.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton urged him to rearrange his planned departure from Miami so he could celebrate. Compatriot Hamilton also scored his first win with McLaren back in 2007.
CEO Zak Brown now intends to get a tattoo of the Miami International Autodrome to mark the occasion. He did the same after the 2021 Italian GP.
On the other hand, teammate Oscar Piastri has been left with mixed emotions. Piastri was running in second early on but his race was ruined by contact with Sainz.
The Australian is delighted for the team but can’t help wondering what might have been. He will at least be able to use their full upgrade package at Imola, a luxury only Norris enjoyed in Miami.
The post ‘Even bigger smile’: Lando Norris sends message to ‘No-wins’ Instagram trolls after Miami Grand Prix victory appeared first on F1 Oversteer.