Lando Norris explains how he defended against Charles Leclerc pressure in F1 Monaco GP. Lando Norris clinched his first Monaco GP win after withstanding intense pressure from Charles Leclerc.

For the first time in his career, Lando Norris wins the Monaco GP, officially entering Formula 1 history. After securing a superb pole position yesterday, the McLaren driver confirmed his pace in the race as well, completing all 78 laps in extraordinary fashion and resisting pressure from Charles Leclerc. Here are the joyful words of the Briton at the foot of the podium.

Lando Norris, finally, after his victory in the season opener in Australia, claims his second win of the season. McLaren’s number 4, having snatched pole position from Charles Leclerc by just a few thousandths, started as the clear favourite and proved to be the car to beat by a wide margin.

Everything went well for Norris. After a big scare at the start — arriving at Sainte Dévote on cold tyres and locking up the front dangerously, risking a crash into the barriers — the Briton stayed calm and began setting the pace. The team called him into the pits at the right times, completing both mandatory stops and getting him back out in second place, just behind Verstappen, who would only pit on the final lap.

Lando Norris faced enormous pressure during the final 15 laps. The pressure from Leclerc right behind his papaya-coloured car was intense, but despite everything, Lando didn’t put a foot wrong and crossed the finish line in first place.

“It was fantastic,” Norris said at the foot of the podium, interviewed by Jenson Button. “It was a really long and exhausting race, but at the same time very fun. We pushed for most of the race. At the final corner, I saw Charles getting really close, putting me under a lot of pressure; but I don’t care how it went, the important thing is that I won.”

“Pole position yesterday, victory today — a fantastic weekend, the kind I’ve dreamed of since I was a child.” Regarding the pressure from Leclerc, Norris emphasized: “Especially at the end it was really tough. With Max in front slowing me down and Charles behind, who I knew could make a move, it was crazy. I tried to build a gap to Max Verstappen so I could push if needed or manage things otherwise.”