Norris is back on top: the champion returns — “More predictable car helps us push”
Lando Norris took some time, but he has finally claimed his first win as reigning world champion. For now, it was “only” a Sprint race, but based on the performance shown by the MCL40 between Friday and Saturday, the impression is that the British driver is now the main favorite for both qualifying and Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Back at the front in Miami, Lando Norris dominated the 100 km Sprint race, starting from pole position and never relinquishing the lead. At the finish line, the number 1 driver crossed the line almost four seconds ahead of his teammate, securing a McLaren one-two that felt like a flashback to the 2025 season.
“From being 50 seconds behind in Melbourne to this? In some ways it is just that the car is working better,” Lando Norris said to Sky Sports F1. “But there are definitely some specific things and characteristics, for example at the rear of the car. You just feel more comfortable pushing the throttle a bit more aggressively. [The car] is also more predictable.”
“So as a driver, when you try something, you can find the optimal point much more easily than before. When you push and make a big mistake, you then become a bit scared to get close to that limit again. Now it feels a bit easier, and maybe the temperatures are also playing a role in that.”
The heat in Miami appears to have played in McLaren’s favor:
“The car is right on the edge of slipping rather than being very nervous and unpredictable, and these are conditions where I usually perform well. But above all, the car now has a strong rear end. This gives us confidence as drivers, so you can just press the throttle, give it some gas, and that is always a good feeling.”
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