Verstappen Praises Norris: 'Happy To Be Beaten By Lando'

Monday, 06 May 2024 at 12:30

Max Verstappen directed a few kind words Lando Norris's way during the 2024 Miami Grand Prix post-race press conference.

The 5th of May 2024 will go down as a very special day for McLaren, but mainly for Lando Norris, who finally achieved his maiden F1 victory.

The 24-year-old holds an unfortunate record for the most podiums without a race win, but he can finally rest knowing he won't extend it even further.

It took 110 race starts and 16 podiums for the Briton to finally snatch his first F1 victory, which came during the sixth round of the 2024 season at Miami International Autodrome.

Although a safety car played into Norris's cards and significantly helped him, he later showed he was the fastest man on the track and that he deserved the win as he put a seven-second gap between himself and Max Verstappen.

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Despite finishing "only" second, the triple World Champion seemed genuinely happy for his rival and a long-time friend. He told the media after the race:

"Well, I think it was a long time coming, you know, and I'm very happy to be beaten by Lando today. He definitely deserved it. He was just miles faster at the end there."

The Miami Grand Prix wasn't the best race for Red Bull. The Flying Dutchman crossed the finish line in P2 and Sergio Perez in P4.

Christian Horner suggested after the race that Verstappen's car suffered damage around lap 20, which might have affected his pace, but the 26-year-old didn't feel any difference after the race. He added:

"So, yeah, it's great. You know, winning your first race is always, I think, quite emotional. And, yeah, it brings you back to all the days that you worked towards Formula 1, and then you dream of being on the podium, but then being on the top step."

"So, yeah, of course, I'm not very happy with my day, but you can appreciate and respect what Lando has done today, and I'm very happy for him."