MIAMI, May 2 – Formula One world champion Lando Norris captured victory in Saturday’s Miami Grand Prix sprint race, delivering McLaren a commanding one-two finish alongside teammate Oscar Piastri as Mercedes experienced their first setback of the season.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc claimed the final podium spot in third place after beginning the race from fourth position.
While Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell initially finished fourth and fifth, the Italian driver was subsequently dropped to sixth after receiving a five-second time penalty for multiple track limits infractions, promoting Russell to fourth place.
The penalty reduced the 19-year-old’s championship advantage over Russell to just seven points, following his victories in the previous two races in China and Japan.
Red Bull’s four-time world champion Max Verstappen benefited from Antonelli’s demotion, moving up to fifth position, while Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton placed seventh.
Pierre Gasly from Alpine earned the final championship point in the 100-kilometer race conducted under sweltering and humid weather conditions.
Starting from pole position, Norris crossed the finish line with a comfortable 3.7-second margin over Australian teammate Piastri, maintaining control throughout the race.
“Nice to be back on the top step. A good day for us,” Norris commented after his victory.
“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.”
Sunday’s main grand prix approaches with weather forecasts predicting rain and potential thunderstorms, with qualifying scheduled for later Saturday evening.
This victory marked Norris’s second sprint triumph at Hard Rock Stadium, repeating his 2025 success at the venue where the British driver earned his maiden F1 victory in 2024. Reid Wiseman, commander of the recent Artemis II Lunar flyby mission, presented the winner’s trophy.
Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad was unable to participate due to technical difficulties, while Nico Hulkenberg’s race ended before it began when his Audi vehicle caught fire en route to the starting grid.
