Lando Norris believes his maiden F1 win was a “very long time coming” after he received the Miami Grand Prix.
After 110 Grand Prix, Norris lastly stood on the highest step of an F1 podium on Sunday to grow to be the twenty first British driver to win a race.
The 24-year-old capitalised on a well timed Security Automotive to steer Max Verstappen with 25 laps to go and held his nerve to grow to be F1’s 114th totally different race winner.
“I do not know what I am feeling! I am simply glad, proud. It feels prefer it’s been a very long time coming,” Norris instructed Sky Sports activities F1.
“I really feel like we have had many alternatives. We have been getting nearer and nearer.
“We have by no means been in a position to put it altogether and as we speak was that day. We have been good all weekend.
“As a lot as we had some setbacks – Friday Qualifying, the Dash, not the perfect Qualifying on Saturday, I stayed Positive. And that is uncommon!
“All of it simply got here collectively. We had been fast all day. I had a superb technique, a superb plan. I stayed out of the best way of bother in Flip One as a result of it was very shut. I simply targeted on our race and we had been fast.
“After all, we acquired a bit fortunate with the Security Automotive. However even after, the tempo was the perfect on observe by fairly a great distance.
“I’ve to say due to the workforce. With out this, it would not be attainable.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Lando Norris felt the prospect to win in Miami was on as quickly as the protection automotive got here out as he knew his tempo was good.
Norris: I used to be assured when Security Automotive got here out
Norris had the total improve bundle in Miami from McLaren and appeared fast instantly from first observe.
Nonetheless, Norris was on the improper finish of a primary nook collision in Saturday’s Dash and certified in fifth for Sunday’s race.
It initially appeared like a battle for the win between Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz and Norris’ team-mate, Oscar Piastri, however Norris took benefit of a the Security Automotive, for Kevin Magnussen and Logan Sargeant’s collision, earlier than cruising away from Verstappen.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Zak Brown congratulates the entire McLaren workforce setup that earned Lando Norris his first Grand Prix victory at Miami.
“As quickly because the Security Automotive got here out. Even earlier than I felt excellent. The tempo was wonderful, the tempo was higher than Max and everybody,” mentioned Norris.
“I used to be a great distance again however knew there may have been alternatives. Laborious work became luck. It wasn’t simply luck. Issues had been going properly and that little further factor helped me out.
“As quickly because the Security Automotive got here out I wasn’t like ‘Max goes to have me right here’. I used to be assured.
“I did not do the perfect of jobs on the restart. I defended into Flip One and from that time on it was pretty simple.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Lando Norris celebrates in model, crowdsurfing along with his McLaren workforce in addition to being congratulated by rival drivers.
Driver respect is ‘smartest thing’ after win
Norris was initially meant to fly out from Miami after the race, however moved his flight again to Monday, as a way to proceed the celebrations.
Following the race, he was congratulated by virtually the whole subject as he celebrated victory along with his McLaren workforce.
“It is unimaginable. That is the perfect factor of all, the individuals you could have respect for and the individuals you race towards, when Fernando comes as much as you and Lewis comes as much as you, these are individuals I’ve appeared as much as since I used to be I child,” he mentioned.
“The very fact I am racing towards them and… they’re in all probability not deep down glad for me, however they’re glad for me and I respect that so much and I am grateful for that.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Lando Norris pulls away from Max Verstappen at security automotive restart in the course of the Miami GP.
Norris pays tribute to De Ferran
Norris additionally paid tribute to former McLaren sporting director and marketing consultant Gil de Ferran, who died on the finish of final yr.
De Ferran supplied Norris recommendation when the British driver getting used to life in F1, after becoming a member of the championship in 2019.
“He helped us so much. He mentioned I used to be going to win a race within the subsequent couple of years and I managed to try this, so a giant shout out to Gil as properly,” mentioned Norris.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Sky F1’s Ted Kravitz displays on all the large speaking factors from the Miami Grand Prix the place Lando Norris claimed his first victory in Method One.
“My dad in all probability needs he got here right here! However this was for my household, not simply my mum and pop.
“I’ve travelled so much, I spend lots of time away. They’ve helped me for the reason that very starting – my brother, my sisters, my grandparents, it is all for them.”
Method 1 heads to Europe as Imola returns to the calendar following final yr’s cancelled race. Watch the Emilia Romagna GP on Might 17-19. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
Ad content | Stream Sky Sports on NOW
Stream Sky Sports activities dwell with no contract on a Month or Day membership on NOW. On the spot entry to dwell motion from the Premier League, EFL, F1, England Cricket, Tennis, Darts and a lot extra.