In Miami this year McLaren ’ s Lando Norris won his first Grand Prix™ , enhancing the popularity of the British racer even further
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In Miami this year McLaren ’ s Lando Norris won his first Grand Prix™ , enhancing the popularity of the British racer even further
About this time last year , McLaren CEO Zak Brown said in a conversation about various things : ‘ We ’ ve got the perfect blend of youth and experience in Lando . He ’ s awesome . With his race craft , his consistency , his feedback and now his leadership and decisiveness , he ’ s a very experienced Formula 1 driver .
‘ When you listen to him on the radio now , it ’ s “ I want these tyres . I want to pit now ”. There ’ s just a decisiveness that comes with the experience and confidence he has to make the call . That ’ s where he has really grown . He ’ s grabbed that experience and is now more confident in what he wants out of the car , out of a weekend and out of a strategy .
‘ And he ’ s spectacular in the wet , which is always a good sign . I don ’ t think anyone has any doubts over his natural ability . And the thing that ’ s most impressive about him is how few mistakes he makes . He ’ s always been in control and almost never crashes .’
That Lando would eventually win a Grand Prix was just one of those things F1 ® sages knew without even having to think about it . To them it was just a matter of time . Many people used to get tied up about Russia 2021 : ‘ The one that got away ’, ‘ A sign of vulnerability ’.
But the race before , at Monza , he had followed victorious team-mate Daniel Ricciardo ’ s wheeltracks home , so it was clear he could do it . But since then , he ’ s been waiting for a winning car . From Austria last year one began to emerge under the team management of the remarkable Andrea Stella , but still that final step to the top of the podium eluded him , to the echo of a cruel ‘ Lando No-Wins ’ internet meme . His second place in China this year gave him a new record of 15 podiums without victory from his 109 races , deluding some into believing he would never make the final jump .
But when that delicious victory finally came in Miami he answered his critics in a terrific postrace press conference that followed a remarkable display of congratulation from his fellow drivers . His honest and open nature has won him much respect and many friends .
Despite their rivalry , he and Max Verstappen are close , and to his lasting credit the World Champion was gracious in defeat . ‘ Well , I think it was a long time coming , you know , and I ’ m very happy to be beaten by Lando today . He definitely deserved it . He was just miles faster at the end there . So it ’ s great . Winning
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