McLaren’s Lando Norris delighted in the fact that “everything went to plan” en route to his Formula 1 Miami Sprint victory amid a chaotic 18 laps.
Norris slipped into second at lights out as polesitter Andrea Kimi Antonelli went wide at Turn 1 after a confrontation with Oscar Piastri.
Amid wet but drying conditions, Piastri built up a lead over his team-mate, but as the race got dryer, Norris started to reel in his McLaren compatriot.
Piastri pitted on Lap 13 of 18, spurred on by the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Yuki Tsunoda, who’d stopped earlier, flying on the dry rubber.
Norris revealed to media including Motorsport Week post-Sprint that a double stack wasn’t on the cards.
“I was too close,” he said. “I would have lost out to the others.“
But pitting later worked in Norris’ favour as Fernando Alosno being punted out by Liam Lawson triggered a Safety Car, and for the second time in two years, the no.4 McLaren driver got a free pit-stop in Miami.
He emerged just in front of Piastri to lead the field across the line under caution, and revelled in his luck after the deed was done.
“It was a good race,” he said.
“I mean, everything went to plan, we both had a good start and got into first and second, which was a nice thing.
“It was those conditions that we’ve had several times this year already, where it’s Inters drying out. But I had good pace throughout, I managed things well, I had mainly good pace at the end of the Inter stint.
“It dried out enough to go onto the slicks, I had to box a lap later. I probably wanted to box the lap that Oscar did, but I was unable to do that.
“Getting forced to stay out, helped me get the win.”
Norris happy with McLaren MCL39 in Miami
After starting the Sprint from third, one place behind Piastri, Norris was ultimately able to get one up on his McLaren team-mate.
One point gained in the title race is one thing, but more importantly, after back-to-back weekends struggling to wrestle his MCL39 during clutch qualifying moments, Norris is in a happier place around the Miami International Autodrome.
“I’ve been pretty happy with the car all weekend,” he said.
“I was happy yesterday with the P3. It was close between a lot of people.
“Obviously happy with today and confident for later today.”
Speaking further on his confidence, Norris added, “Like I said on Thursday, it’s not like I’ve lacked confidence or anything. I’m still happy.
“I still know my pace is there and the speed is there,” he continued.
“But of course, it’s a boost [winning the Sprint], you know, every little thing, every point is a good thing.
“And even though I was third yesterday, I was so happy with just the lap I did.
“A couple of mistakes, but it was a well-executed lap.
“Just kind of getting the lap in and putting it there and being there and at least being in the fight, you know, I think a couple of my other mistakes have just sent me further back.
“ But this weekend’s been a good one.
“I’ve been happy with everything, with the car, with myself, with the performances. So just keep chipping away.”
READ MORE – Lando Norris capitalises on Safety Car to win chaotic Miami Sprint
