Lando Norris’s title defence came alive in the sprint race ahead of Sunday’s storm-threatened Miami Grand Prix.
The world champion, previously without a win this season and 47 points off leader Kimi Antonelli coming into the 19-lap dash, was in command throughout a boiling 32C afternoon at the Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins to take the victor’s eight points.
Norris started on pole, a neat and tidy lap securing him the honour, before making a brisk getaway. Behind him, Antonelli was slow off the line, which is in danger of becoming a nagging habit. Mercedes have not totally mastered starts under this year’s complex regulations.
The Italian fell straight from second to fourth as Oscar Piastri moved up behind Norris – putting the two McLarens in total control, an advantage they never looked likely to surrender.
Piastri finished in second place, 3.7sec back from Norris, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc third, a further 2.3 adrift.Â
And in a boost to Norris, Antonelli was handed a five-second penalty for exceeding track limits, that dropped him to sixth. George Russell was, therefore, classified fourth for Mercedes.
Lando Norris’s title defence came alive by winning the sprint race at the Miami Grand Prix
The world champion controlled the 19-lap dash at Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Dolphins
McLaren showed signs of life at last with Oscar Piastri securing a one-two finish for the team
Kimi Antonelli was slow off the line and dropped to sixth place after picking up a penalty
Max Verstappen, who clashed wheels and sparred with Lewis Hamilton more than once, finished fifth, two places in front of the seven-time world champion, who cut a dejected figure afterwards as he trudged around the pits.
The result showed that McLaren, with their one-two, have found a productive way forward during the enforced break from racing due to war in the Middle East excised the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix.
The notion of Mercedes running away with all the prizes looks less certain – though further evidence is required before that possibility can be entirely ruled out.
Those omissions have given this weekend an ersatz start of-the-season air. Ferrari, for example, have brought 11 upgrades to Florida, while McLaren have revamped their car just as significantly since the travelling circus left Japan five weeks ago.
Norris’s win means he narrowed his deficit to Antonelli to 42 points heading into tomorrow’s main event, with championship-favourite Russell seven off the summit.
‘Nice to be back on the top step!’ smiled Norris.Â
‘A good day for us. It was hot out there and sweaty. I was pushing, trying to find that balance of pushing and staying relaxed to not make mistakes.
‘A good start to the weekend but now I’ve got to do it all over again.’
Asked if McLaren would make many chances before qualifying later on Saturday, Norris said: ‘Probably not too many. It’s worked so far. We will just change a couple things.
‘Hopefully we have a bit more to come, but I’m sure the others will too. We will keep our heads down and keep pushing.’
