CHAMPION: LANDO NORRIS PROVES TALENT TRUMPS MONEY FOR F1 CROWN
Norris ends McLaren's 17-year title drought, joining Hamilton and Button as the only British champions since 1996. He defeated Verstappen and Piastri with skill and focus.
It was clear early on that Lando Norris was going to be a big deal in racing. One thing he had going for him was financial support, which many talented young racers lack.
His dad, Adam Norris, who made his money in pensions and was worth around £200 million in 2022, paid for his racing career. So, Lando always had the best equipment and plenty of time on the track to hone his skills.
His path to the top of racing was made a bit easier because of his family's money. But money alone can't buy what Norris has achieved. His talent is what made him Britain's latest Formula 1 champion.
Over the years, some drivers who came from wealthy families have gotten into F1 but didn't show the skill to back it up. Long before winning his F1 title, Norris had already proved he was more than just a pay driver.
After winning the F3 title as a rookie and almost winning in F2 against George Russell, McLaren was confident enough to bring him up to F1. Norris started his F1 career shortly after turning 19 and made an immediate impression, finishing sixth in only his second race, even though McLaren wasn't as good as it is today.
He was behind his teammate Carlos Sainz that year, but Sainz had been in F1 for a while. Norris improved significantly in their second season together. Then, in 2021, he became the clear team leader when Sainz left for Ferrari, and Daniel Ricciardo replaced him.
He almost won his first F1 race twice in 2021. First, Ricciardo led a one-two finish at Monza. Then, in Russia, victory was snatched away from him. Norris led for most of the race, but a sudden rainstorm caused him to slide off the track because he stayed on slick tyres.
He had to wait almost three more years before finally winning in Miami last May. "I've finally done it for them," he said after the race, referring to the team that had believed in him.
Now, at 26, he has won McLaren's first driver's title since Lewis Hamilton 17 years ago. He faced tough competition from Max Verstappen and his teammate Oscar Piastri.
Even though he received some for being open about his past mental health struggles, Norris stayed focused. He joins the small group of British World Champions since Damon Hill almost 30 years ago, along with Hamilton and Jenson Button.
GEORGE RUSSELL ADMITS ANTONELLI IS "EXCEPTIONALLY QUICK" BUT REFUSES TO CONCEDE TITLE
Kimi Antonelli secured his 3rd straight F1 win in Miami, leaving George Russell 43 seconds behind and 20 points down in the title race. (130 chars)
George Russell isn’t flinching. He’s not ready to let go of the story, even as Kimi Antonelli keeps grabbing headlines. Antonelli’s been tearing it up this season – three straight wins, all from pole – and it’s got people talking. Miami was rough for Russell; he finished fourth, over 43 seconds behind Antonelli. That gap isn’t just big; it’s glaring, and it’s putting some real heat on their rivalry at Mercedes.
Russell isn’t pretending things are fine, but he’s not throwing in the towel either. He gets what Antonelli’s doing and gives props where they’re deserved. “He’s a fantastic driver, and he’s been fast since day one,” Russell said. “You don’t win all those championships as a kid if you’re not quick.” He means it, but he’s also drawing a boundary. Russell still believes in himself, and he’s not giving up on the championship.
“I’ve still got confidence in myself, and I haven’t forgotten how to drive,” he said with a little smile. “It’s just a tricky patch, but we’re only four races in; there’s a lot more to come. We’ll sort things out over the next few weeks.”
That “tricky patch” doesn’t just mean some tough luck; it includes a 20-point deficit and a teammate who won’t stop rewriting history. Antonelli’s winning streak has changed the vibe at Mercedes, at least for now.
Russell knows all about momentum and how it doesn’t always stick around. “He’s got momentum right now; he’s flying,” Russell admitted. “But I’ve won championships myself, and I know momentum swings back and forth all year.” He actually doesn’t seem bothered by the points gap. “Honestly, I’m not even thinking about it,” he said.
It’s a calm answer from a guy who’s been here before, leaning on experience while Antonelli rides his hot streak. Russell keeps saying 'big picture, patience, not panic'.
“I just want to get back on top of the podium,” he said. “I had the pace for the first three races, but this weekend I was nowhere close. It could have gone very differently these last few weeks, and this weekend could’ve just been a blip. But some races in Japan and China didn’t go my way. That’s how F1 goes sometimes.”
Still, confidence doesn’t erase a 20-point gap, not if Antonelli keeps cruising. If Antonelli keeps piling up wins, Russell’s going to have to fight more than just the stopwatch. Losing to your teammate over and over starts to mess with your head. Russell began the season as the guy to beat, but the longer this keeps up, the tougher it gets to grab hold of the story again.
He’s holding firm, for now. But F1 doesn’t wait for anyone. What does Russell call “just a tricky run”? Well, if momentum doesn’t swing his way soon, it could become a whole lot more than that.
MAX VERSTAPPEN TAKES FRONT ROW IN MIAMI AS RED BULL UPGRADES DELIVER IMMEDIATE RESULTS
Charles Leclerc admitted surprise at Red Bull's pace after Max Verstappen finished P2, just 0.166s behind Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli.
Charles Leclerc expected Red Bull to bounce back, but he couldn’t help admiring Max Verstappen’s raw speed at the Miami Grand Prix.
Red Bull rolled into Miami with a big upgrade, looking to recover after a rough start to the season. Verstappen, a four-time world champ, landed his Red Bull in second during qualifying. He was only 0.166 seconds behind Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes, nearly snatching pole. After qualifying, Verstappen said he finally feels like he’s back in control of his car.
Leclerc was impressed by the turnaround. “Honestly, it’s not shocking to see Kimi up there. Mercedes has been the quickest team this year, and Kimi’s been amazing these last few races,” Leclerc said. “But Max and Red Bull are coming back like this? That’s a bit more surprising. The upgrades clearly worked, and you can’t forget how strong that team really is. You never expect them to just sit back and accept a slow start.”
He added, “We figured they’d come back swinging, but to see them right back on the front row after struggling at the start… that’s something else. It’s pretty remarkable. Still, my job’s the same: beat those guys. That’s where my head’s at right now.”
Leclerc had to settle for third on the grid for Sunday’s race. Ferrari looked strong early in qualifying, but their hopes faded by Q3.
He talked about the changing conditions, but didn’t think that’s what hurt Ferrari. “The wind definitely played a part, but track temperature wasn’t all that different, so I don’t think that’s the reason,” he said. “Maybe the track changed, and we didn’t see it coming, or maybe pushing harder today in qualifying just made our car’s weak spots stand out more.”
Leclerc admitted he hadn’t dug into the numbers yet; he’d just gotten out of the car. “We’ll have to check the details to figure out exactly where we lost time.”
