Lando Norris Wins First Victory At Miami Grand Prix, Beats Max Verstappen

McLaren's racer, Lando Norris, Miami GP champion (photo; x @f1)

JAKARTA - McLaren's racer, Lando Norris, took advantage of a bit of luck to win at the Miami Grand Prix on Sunday, May 5 or Monday morning WIB. He beat three times world champion from Red Bull, Max Verstappen, to win his first Formula One victory.

This victory was eagerly awaited by this British racer who previously held the record for the most podiums without a win (15), after finishing runners-up eight times in 110 Grand Prix.

Verstappen appeared to be in a good position to win his fifth in six races to the middle of the road in an accident that allowed McLaren to take advantage of the safety car period, where Norris entered the pit and came out as a leader.

Targeting a winning hat-trick in Miami, Verstappen continued to chase Norris after restarting, but his Red Bull was unable to challenge as McLaren moved away. Meanwhile Charles Leclerc of Ferrari finished the podium, finishing third in front of his teammate, Carlos Sainz.

"It's time to arrive! It's been an incredible race. It's been a long time since it happened. Finally I managed to do it," Norris was quoted as saying by VOI from Sky Sports. "I'm very happy for my whole team. Finally I gave the best for them.

"A long day, a difficult race. Finally at the top, so I am very happy. I am only proud. Many people doubt me along this journey," said Norris. "I have made a lot of mistakes over the last five years of my short career, but today we managed to bring it all together."

In the season dominated by Red Bull, this is a very popular victory by this 24-year-old racer. Starting from pole, Verstappen took the lead through the first 20 laps but was unable to open the difference by more than three seconds from Norris' teammate Oscar Piastri.

When the race hit the midpoint, Verstappen made a rare mistake without pressure, twisted and hit a broken barrier pole and fell behind the track, giving rise to a virtual safety car.

Verstappen then immediately entered the pit with Piastri, who had entered the pit, and assumed the leadership position.

With the first pit stop round coming to an end and Verstappen coming back to the lead, McLaren gets lucky.

Logan Okant of Williams rotated and hit the wall, brought up a safety car and allowed Norris to enter the pit and come out still as a leader, who he never released.

"You win, you lose," Verstappen said. "I think we're all used to it in racing, aren't we? Today is a bit difficult. If a bad day is P2, I accept. I'm very happy for Lando. It's been a long time and this isn't the last time for him, so he really deserves it today."