MIAMI – It is doubtful there has been a more popular winner of a Formula One race in recent years than McLaren’s Lando Norris, who was celebrated by everyone from Max Verstappen to Donald Trump following his victory at the Miami Grand Prix on May 5.

It was a long overdue triumph for Norris in his 110th grand prix. He held the record for most podiums without a win (15), including an agonising eight runner-up finishes, making the likeable Briton easy to root for.

Even Verstappen, Red Bull’s three-time world champion who hates to lose and was denied a hat-trick of Miami wins by Norris, was among the first to congratulate the 24-year-old, who was mobbed by his team, crowd-surfed along the pit lane and drenched in a shower of champagne.

“It was a long time coming, and I’m very happy to be beaten by Lando today,” smiled a genuinely pleased Verstappen.

“He definitely deserved it. It’s great winning your first race. It’s always quite emotional. It brings you back to all the days that you worked towards your dream of being on the podium.”

Verstappen, who began on pole, had won four of the opening five races of the season and leads the world championship standings.

It looked like business as usual with the 26-year-old Dutchman, leading until Lap 24 where he pitted and Norris’ McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri took over the lead. Australian Piastri himself went into the pits four laps later, allowing Norris to grab the lead and he never looked back.

Crucially, Norris was able to pit during a safety car on Lap 30, earning him a valuable time advantage which he never relinquished. The safety car came after Kevin Magnussen clipped Logan Sargeant, sending the American Williams driver into the wall, bringing a yellow flag.

Norris took full advantage of the safety car, and with Verstappen struggling to catch up, he secured his maiden victory. Verstappen finished second while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was third.

It was the first time Verstappen has been beaten on track, when he finished the race, since Carlos Sainz of Ferrari won in Singapore in September 2023.

Norris was hoisted in the air by the McLaren mechanics as his long wait for a victory in the sport came to an end.

“About time huh? I knew on Friday that we had the pace... Today, we managed to put it together. We had the perfect strategy, it all paid off,” said Norris.

“I guess a lot of people doubted me along the way. I’ve made a lot of mistakes over the last five years, my short career, but today we pulled it all together, so this is all for the team. I stuck with McLaren because I could believe in them and I did believe in them and today proved exactly that.”

Former United States president Donald Trump, who visited the McLaren garage before the race, was delighted to back a winner, telling Norris later he was his lucky charm.

“He saw me after and he came to congratulate me. He (Trump) said he was my lucky charm because it was my win, but I don’t know if he’s going to come to more races,” said Norris, who had told his grandmother before coming to Miami that he was going to win a race.

Added Leclerc: “Very often he ran very close, 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.”

Norris’ parents were ecstatic, though they were not in Miami to witness the moment.

“The cider’s flowing in Somerset! A big celebration. I was working out it’s probably about 900 races I’ve been to over the last 16 years,” Adam Norris told Sky Sports.

“It’s interesting knowing as a parent how many hours you put in, supporting them. I counted out 350 weekends away and all the races on different weekends. It’s brilliant. So happy for him.”

Anthony Hamilton, another father instrumental in the success of his son – seven-time world champion Lewis, who finished sixth – also texted Norris with congratulations.

While Norris was long overdue for a first win, his wait was not the longest. World champions Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg needed 113 and 111 races respectively.

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez holds the record of 190 races before his visit to the top of the podium, and it took Sainz 150 and Mark Webber 130.

Norris was still finalising plans on how he was going to celebrate his landmark triumph, but he was already thinking about a second win.

“This only happens once when you take your first win. Tonight is going to be a good night,” said Norris, confirming team boss Zak Brown had delayed the flight home until Monday so there would be a proper celebration.

“I would like to say it’s the start, and now we’re really hungry for more. We’ll keep our heads down and keep pushing.” REUTERS