MIAMI — Lando Norris is itching to mix it up at the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, his eyes locked on the first lap and a shot at toppling Max Verstappen. After snagging second on the grid, just 0.065 seconds shy of Verstappen’s pole on May 3, the McLaren driver’s got a plan: hit the ground running and exploit the Miami International Autodrome’s layout to make bold moves early. “I’m ready to see what we can do into Turn 1,” Norris said after qualifying, his voice carrying the kind of quiet grit that hints at a racer who’s done his homework.
The 25-year-old Briton’s not banking on a repeat of his Suzuka struggles from April, where low tire degradation and a lack of passing zones left him stuck behind Verstappen. Miami’s track, with its three DRS zones and heavy braking areas like Turn 11 and Turn 17, is a different beast. It’s built for overtaking, and Norris knows it. Last year, he carved through the field here to clinch his maiden F1 victory on May 5, 2024, capitalizing on a well-timed safety car. This time, he’s starting closer to the front, with the inside line at Turn 1 in his sights—a narrow window to challenge Verstappen’s Red Bull before the race settles.
Norris isn’t just focused on the reigning champion. He’s got Kimi Antonelli, the 18-year-old Mercedes prodigy starting third, and teammate Oscar Piastri, the championship leader in fourth, breathing down his neck. “It’s not just Max,” Norris said, his tone blunt. “Kimi’s been quick all weekend, and Oscar’s right there. It’s gonna be a tough one.” The McLaren MCL39, which Norris has spent months tweaking in the simulator to suit his aggressive driving style, showed promise in the rain-soaked sprint on May 3. Norris won that 18-lap dash, leaping ahead of Piastri after a late safety car triggered by Fernando Alonso’s crash.
Qualifying wasn’t perfect, though. Norris botched his final lap, bouncing over the kerb at Turn 17, costing him a shot at pole. Still, he’s upbeat, a stark contrast to his frustration after lackluster races in Bahrain and Jeddah earlier this season. “I’m happy with the progress,” he said, admitting the car’s not fully dialed in but close enough to fight. The Miami circuit, a 5.412-kilometer loop around Hard Rock Stadium, has been kind to him before, and with rain looming for the May 4 race, strategy could again play into his hands.
Verstappen, starting from pole, isn’t underestimating the challenge. “It’ll be tough to keep the McLarens behind,” he said after qualifying, noting their superior tire management in the sprint. Antonelli, fresh off his first F1 pole in the sprint, plans to play it “smart but aggressive” at the start, learning from his Turn 1 slip-up against Piastri. Piastri, nine points ahead of Norris in the standings, is hungry to extend his lead but wary of the chaotic first lap that nearly cost him in the sprint.
Norris’s confidence stems from McLaren’s pace this season, with race-winning potential at every grand prix so far. The team’s decision to extend his stint in last year’s race paid off, and similar calls could shape this one. With 57 laps to navigate, starting at 9 p.m. local time on May 4, the stage is set for a scrap where every braking zone counts.
The grid lines up with Verstappen in first, Norris in second, Antonelli in third, Piastri in fourth, George Russell in fifth, Carlos Sainz in sixth, Alex Albon in seventh, Charles Leclerc in eighth, Esteban Ocon in ninth, and Yuki Tsunoda in tenth. Rain is forecast, and the safety car has appeared in every Miami Grand Prix since the event began in 2022.