Lando Norris achieved his first-ever victory in the world of Formula 1 after a significant dry spell of five years. The entire Formula 1 community erupted in joy and celebration over Norris’ remarkable triumph. The 24-year-old driver secured his first race win, marking a momentous occasion in his career that began in 2019. This victory was particularly notable as it came amidst Red Bull’s dominant campaign. Amidst the crowd of jubilant supporters, one could spot the Ferrari boss, who was among the most enthusiastic backers of Norris’ achievement.
Norris seized the perfect opportunity to claim a race victory following an incident involving Logan Sargeant and Kevin Magnussen. The 24-year-old skillfully fended off his competitors, including one who was already struggling to handle his RB20. The McLaren team celebrated their driver’s maiden victory in grand style, with various individuals, including McLaren CEO, joining in the festivities. One notable moment was when Fred Vasseur, donning Ferrari’s special-edition blue jersey, caught the McLaren cap thrown to him by the CEO and proudly wore it to commemorate the occasion. Vasseur further enhanced the joyous atmosphere by popping champagne and showering the McLaren squad with it, adding to the overall jubilation surrounding Norris’ triumph.
Ferrari has consistently displayed strong performance throughout the season, securing the second spot in the constructors’ championship. The Italian team has been engaged in a close competition with McLaren right from the start of the season. Fred Vasseur acknowledged McLaren’s competitiveness and their proximity to his team. He specifically recalled McLaren’s close attempt to surpass Ferrari during the Australian GP, where Carlos Sainz came close to victory towards the end of the race.
Despite the loss, Vasseur expressed his genuine happiness for Norris’ maiden victory. The 55-year-old conveyed his congratulations to the British driver for his outstanding achievement at the Miami GP. Vasseur revealed that the team approached McLaren to celebrate the victory together in the paddock, emphasizing the unity and camaraderie among the teams. He also mentioned that the entire team shared in the joy of Norris’ race win, further highlighting the collective happiness surrounding the 24-year-old’s success.
Looking ahead, Ferrari has plans to introduce several updates to their SF-24 challenger during the upcoming Emilia-Romagna GP. With three different constructors having already secured race wins this season and consistently closing the gap at the front, the 2024 season promises to be an exciting one for fans as rival teams continue to challenge Red Bull’s dominance.