Lando Norris, the winner of the Miami Grand Prix, expressed his confidence in McLaren’s ability to win Formula 1 races in 2024 despite facing skepticism from many. Last season, McLaren experienced a remarkable turnaround, going from struggling to score points to becoming a front-running team, with Norris frequently reaching the podium. Unfortunately, Max Verstappen and Red Bull’s dominance prevented Norris from achieving a coveted F1 victory, as his teammate Oscar Piastri outperformed him in the Qatar Sprint. However, Norris finally seized his opportunity in Miami, taking advantage of a well-timed Safety Car to secure his first-ever win in the top flight of racing.
Norris believes that his triumph in Miami serves as validation for the optimism he held prior to the season, proving wrong those who doubted him and McLaren. Despite the doubts surrounding their ability to win races, Norris remained confident in their potential. He recognized the incredible progress made by the team and highlighted how they have surpassed their previous performance, considering that they failed to even reach Q2 in Miami last year.
McLaren’s significant upgrade package, introduced in Miami, played a crucial role in Norris’s ability to outperform the Red Bulls and Ferraris. Norris acknowledged the months of hard work and the challenges faced when implementing upgrades. He expressed his gratitude to the entire McLaren team, both those present at the race and those working behind the scenes at the factory. Norris recognized that without their dedication and the improvements they made, his victory would have been less likely. He emphasized that this win is just the beginning and that McLaren is hungry for more success in the future. The team remains focused, determined, and optimistic about their prospects moving forward.