Lando Norris clinched his maiden victory in Formula 1 at an exhilarating Miami Grand Prix on Sunday. The McLaren driver outperformed Max Verstappen, interrupting what had been an impeccable weekend for Verstappen, who had secured a sprint race win and pole position.
Norris couldn’t contain his joy as he celebrated his long-awaited victory in Miami. The crowd erupted into cheers as he crossed the finish line, marking the end of over 100 races and countless close calls. Prior to this momentous win, Norris had held the record for the most podium finishes in Formula 1 without a race victory, with an impressive total of 15.
“Woo!” he exclaimed over the team radio as he crossed the finish line. “I want to express my gratitude to all of you. We have accomplished it!”
After the race, Norris, who had started in fifth place, joyfully embraced his crew and was lifted up in celebration. The crowd erupted with ecstatic cheers of “Lando! Lando!” as he proudly carried the winner’s trophy to the podium.
Max Verstappen began the race in pole position and managed to maintain his lead throughout. However, a safety car intervention in the middle of the race allowed Lando Norris to move ahead of the pack. When the race resumed, Verstappen found himself unable to catch up to Norris, who quickly pulled away. Despite the internal challenges his team has faced in recent months, Verstappen has been a dominant force in Formula 1 over the past two seasons. In this race, he settled for second place, while Charles Leclerc from Ferrari secured third place.
American Logan Sargeant of Williams, who was born in Fort Lauderdale just a short drive away, had a devastating weekend. After a crash that officials attributed to Kevin Magnussen of Haas, Sargeant was forced to retire from the race. As he enters his second year, Sargeant is feeling the pressure to improve his performance if he hopes to secure a contract extension.
An estimated 275,000 people attended the race weekend, as tickets quickly sold out. The event drew a star-studded crowd, with celebrities and athletes like Ed Sheeran, Kendall Jenner, Tom Brady, and Camila Cabello in attendance. Ed Sheeran even performed a set at the venue, adding to the excitement of the event.
French football legend Zinedine Zidane showed his support for the French F1 team, Alpine. When asked about his preference between the team’s two French drivers, Zidane smiled and replied, “I like both of them.”
Former President Donald Trump made an appearance at the race on Sunday, where he was given a tour of the McLaren garage by Zak Brown, the team’s American CEO.
When asked about what Trump told him during his first Formula 1 race, Brown shared, “He didn’t discuss his favorite driver or team. I didn’t ask. I was asked to show him around by the organizers, so that’s what I would do for any former or sitting president.”
Just before the race began, Trump made his way onto the starting grid and greeted the enthusiastic Miami crowd with a wave.
Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for Trump, attributed the victory in the race to the former president. In a text message, she proudly stated, “The race was won by the car endorsed by Trump. We’re constantly achieving victory!”
There was a lot of buzz surrounding the Miami Grand Prix, alongside the unexpected announcement by Red Bull’s esteemed car designer, Adrian Newey, that he will be leaving the team early next year.
The Miami race is one of three U.S. races, alongside Austin, Texas in October and Las Vegas in November. Despite the addition of the Las Vegas Grand Prix last year, drivers and team bosses firmly reject the notion that it has diminished the appeal of the Miami race.
According to Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time F1 champion, the sport of Formula 1 has actually grown in the United States instead of diminishing. He believes that it has gained more awareness and popularity over the years. Hamilton mentions that wherever he goes in the country, people are excited about the sport. He also notes that Formula 1 has become a part of the culture in the United States, rather than just being seen as a once-a-year event. Hamilton finds this development to be really cool and exciting.
“It has been an incredible experience, and we are all extremely grateful for the United States finally embracing this sport and sharing the same love and passion that we have grown up with,” he expressed.
According to Brown, the Miami race is continuously growing and improving.
According to Brown, the combination of events like the Formula 1 races in Austin, Miami, and Vegas, along with the popularity of the Netflix series “Drive to Survive” and the upcoming Brad Pitt movie, is rapidly expanding the sport’s presence in North America. He believes that each Grand Prix has its own unique appeal, and Miami, in particular, is an attractive market that people enjoy visiting.
Alpine driver Pierre Gasly expressed his team’s increased motivation to perform well in the race due to the presence of their new American investors, including Patrick Mahomes, throughout the race weekend.
Miami holds significant importance for our team as it brings together various stakeholders, including our owners and ambassadors. This weekend serves as a pivotal moment for us, where we can connect with these key individuals and strengthen our relationships.
According to Tyler Epp, the president of the Miami Grand Prix, the event truly embodies the essence of Miami. He emphasizes that it showcases the city’s rich culinary scene, vibrant culture, captivating entertainment, and the incredible diversity that defines our community.
“We take pride in the three races in America, as we believe that all boats rise with a rising tide. We consider ourselves to be different and unique, and we always strive to be at the forefront.”
One month ago, Epp expressed his concern about the slow ticket sales, but his team was able to turn things around in the final stretch. Just a day before the event, he happily announced that they had successfully sold all the grandstand and luxury tickets. However, they still held back some general admission tickets for those who might come late.
According to Epp, the Miami race still has seven years remaining on its 10-year contract with Formula 1, with the potential for even more in the future.
The Las Vegas race, which made its debut last year, will continue for another eight years after this year’s event. Meanwhile, the Austin race has been a consistent fixture since 2012. According to CEO Renee Wilm, the Las Vegas Grand Prix is set to make some changes this year. In particular, they plan to remove certain “high-end hospitality suites” and instead focus on providing more general admission and grandstand seating. This initiative aims to attract a wider range of fans to the race.
F1 events have long been celebrated for their positive impact on local economies. According to a recent report by Clark County in Nevada, the inaugural Grand Prix held last year resulted in an economic boost of approximately $1.5 billion. Moreover, it played a significant role in securing improved union contracts for service workers.
“We have generated numerous economic opportunities throughout the valley,” Wilm expressed. “The enthusiasm of our fans resulted in generous tips at the venues, restaurants, and for service staff, including dealers, waiters, and waitresses. This has led to a significant boost in the valley’s economy, benefiting everyone involved. We are thrilled to announce our return this year.”
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