Lando Norris clinched his maiden Formula 1 victory!

Lando Norris with his trophy celebrating his win (source: instagram)

Marking a monumental achievement after 110 races The McLaren driver seized the lead under the Safety Car and then showcased exceptional pace, leaving Max Verstappen and the competition in his wake. Verstappen settled for second, while Charles Leclerc secured third place. Lewis Hamilton achieved a season-best finish, crossing the line in sixth position.

Lando Norris shattered the unwanted record of the most podium finishes without a win, a milestone he carried for 15 races into his sixth season of Formula 1. Initially running in sixth position, McLaren's strategic decision to extend his opening stint proved to be a stroke of genius. When the Safety Car was deployed following Logan Sargeant's crash on lap 29, Norris had already inherited the lead as all the frontrunners ahead of him had pitted, including race leader Verstappen. Norris capitalized on the opportunity, pitting while the rest of the field circulated at reduced speed behind the Safety Car, allowing him to re-emerge still in the lead. It was just plain faster on the day, even though it had qualified a few tenths slower, not as happy on the soft tyre as on the medium and hard used in the race.

"That is what will be extra satisfying about this victory."

Fighting back tears as his jubilant McLaren team lifted him aloft in the pit lane as wild celebrations commenced, Norris said: "About time! What a race. It's been a long time coming.

"Finally I've managed to do it.”