Lando Norris became the 114th different winner of an F1 Grand Prix after his Miami GP win this past Sunday. In his 110th race in the pinnacle of motorsport, McLaren’s popular driver was able to fully maximise a Safety Car period before powering on to victory with his impressive pace. Norris, McLaren and all the Papaya Army were understandably delighted with the outcome but so was every other driver all the way through the paddock – as shown by their remarks praising Norris’ feat.
The post-race footage in the moments after the chequered flag fell in Miami showed numerous cars pulling alongside Norris to acknowledge his achievement.
One such clip, which has now gone viral, was that of Lewis Hamilton applauding the victor of the 2024 Miami GP from his cockpit and punching the air on his behalf. The man who started his F1 career with McLaren would go on to pay tribute to Norris once he was out of his cockpit as well.
“Firstly, I had my first win with McLaren, so I’m really happy to see McLaren back up there, I think Zak [Brown, CEO of McLaren] and the whole team have done an amazing job. I was with them from 13 years old, so I’m so happy, still a big part of my heart there, so I’m really happy to see him get back at the top and also dethrone the Bulls.
“And then for Lando, I know Lando quite well, we’ve got a decent relationship, I know what it’s like to have that first Grand Prix win, how special it is. So, I couldn’t be happier for him. I really hope that he’s able to appreciate the moment and enjoy it, because it’s a big thing,” Hamilton concluded.
Hamilton’s teammate, George Russell, also took time to congratulate his fellow Brit and former F2 title rival: “Very well deserved and very happy for him. He’s deserving of a race victory from many, many years ago and I think all the drivers in F1 in this era of dominance from one team and one driver, it’s always great to see somebody get that chance to score a victory. As I said, Lando’s deserving of that.”
Russell was proven right in his belief seeing how many other drivers praised F1’s newest Grand Prix winner.
Two-time F1 Drivers’ Champion Fernando Alonso was also delighted for the 24-year-old.
“Well done to Lando that first win after so many podiums, I’m really happy for him. Hopefully he remembers this day, the first of many wins.”
While Daniel Ricciardo, a former teammate of Norris and the last man to have claimed a GP win for McLaren prior to Miami, reflected on the personality of Norris.
“I’m genuinely very happy for the kid. As a teammate obviously you get to know them a little bit better and I got to know Lando well and you have like a bit of a closer connection so obviously we spent some time away from the track together.
“He actually came out to my farm in Australia this January so it was — yeah — I’ve got to spend some time with him and I like the kid.
“I think a lot of us felt it was a matter of time until he was able to have a day like this but nothing’s guaranteed in this sport.
“So, happy that he did get to have a day like this, one that will forever be one of the greatest days of his life. Happy to see that smile on him.
“Not a great day for me but to see him have a day like this finishes the day off with something nice and positive and he’s a good kid and deserves it,” said Ricciardo.
Meanwhile, Norris’ current teammate, Oscar Piastri, also gave his reaction in the written media pen.
“For Lando to win the race on pace and to pull away from Max after the safety car, I think that’s a very, very encouraging sign.
“Very happy for him and the whole team. I think we deserve it, our trajectory in the last twelve months has been towards this moment.
“And also for Lando, I think it’s been a long time coming so I’m happy for him.”
Earlier, in the drivers’ press conference, Norris’ rivals who had been either side of him on the podium also spoke of his momentous drive in Miami.
Max Verstappen explained: “I’m very happy for Lando. It’s been a long time coming. And it’s not going to be his last one. He definitely deserves it today…
“Well, I think it was a long time coming and I’m very happy to be beaten by Lando today. He definitely deserved it. He was just miles faster at the end there. 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.”
Then Charles Leclerc continued referring to some of their earliest days in racing.
“First of all, I’m really happy for Lando. He deserves it. Very often, he arrived very close to it, but for one reason or another, he didn’t make it.
“But today, he did an incredible job, and the whole weekend, he has been on it. And already in Q2, I think there was a lap where I was like, ‘OK, they are very, very strong’…I’m just really happy for Lando.
“As much as we all want to beat each other and to come out on top, it’s always emotional to see so many emotions in one of your competitors.
“We have all grown up together. I mean, Max and myself were on the category above, but you always keep an eye on the younger categories. And I remember looking at Lando when he was in KF3, and we all had this same dream of being a Formula 1 driver one day.
“And then once you achieve that you want obviously the first win and I remember my first win and it is a very, very special moment.
“So, I told him already that he needs to enjoy as much as possible but I don’t have to tell him that, I’m sure that tonight will be a good night and he definitely deserves it,” stated Leclerc.
Many column inches have been written over the years about the friendship between Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris, so it was hardly a surprise to hear Sainz speak so happily about Norris’ historical achievement:
“Lando has been deserving a win for many, many years now he’s driving at an excellent level and to finally get it, I’m obviously happy for him.
Frustrated because we were ahead of him…but I think luck comes to the guys who deserve it and Lando is one of those guys that deserved a little bit of luck this weekend to win his first race.”
Finally, Norris’ own comments perfectly summed up why he had received so much praise from his rivals as he discussed respect and the praise he got.
“One thing I’ve always had and I will always have is respect for the people I race against, as much as sometimes things make you not want to have it. I’ve always had respect for everyone I race against, from the top to the bottom of every category that I’ve gone through since karting, I’ve always had respect for my competitors and the people I raced against.
“And I’ve always said that. So as much as when you put the helmet on, you hate them, and you want to beat them, and you don’t care who’s who, I’ve always had respect for the people I’ve raced against.
“So, when anyone comes up [to me], especially people who have achieved a lot, because it always means a little bit more. So, when Lewis, Fernando, Max, Charles, Carlos, whenever they come up to you or people have good words for you, I appreciate those things a lot. Because from these people, it means something. Maybe from others, it doesn’t.
“And yeah, from these people, they’re the people who know what it takes to achieve these types of things for the work, the time, the effort that goes into doing something like this.
“So, yeah, I guess thanks to them and thanks to everyone who supports me and has that kind of similar respect that I do for them back. I appreciate those types of things.”
The outpouring of love seen in the paddock also goes to show that the F1 community certainly appreciates Lando Norris. His Miami Grand Prix victory will be remembered for many years to come.
