Sprint Race Report - Norris takes McLaren 1-2

Lando Norris
© McLaren

In the 19 lap Miami Sprint race Lando Norris won in his McLaren-Mercedes, winning by 3.766 second over his McLaren team mate Oscar Piastri. Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari finished third 6.251 seconds behind the winner.

George Russell (12.951s) in the Mercedes GP finished fourth, followed by Max Verstappen (13.639s) in the Red Bull-Ford in fifth.

After the checkered flag Kimi Antonelli in the second Mercedes was handed a 5-second penalty for track limit infringements and dropped him from fourth to sixth.

Lewis Hamilton (21.665s) in the second Ferrari was seventh, and Pierre Gasly in the Alpine-Mercedes took the final points paying position in eighth place.

Before the race a moment of silence was given for the passing of former Formula One driver Alex Zanardi.

Norris is on pole, with Antonelli alongside on the outside of row 1, Piastri and Leclerc on row 2, Verstappen and Russell on row 3, Hamilton and Colapinto on row 4, and Hadjar and Gasly rounding out the top 10.

At the appointed the field came around and the cars formed on the grid, the lights went out and the race began with Norris getting off in the lead, and once again Antonelli falls back at the start. Piastri is second, followed by Leclerc Antonelli, Russell, Hamilton, and Verstappen banging wheels, Gasly, Colapinto and Bortoletto in tenth.

At lap 4 Norris sets fast lap at 1m32.183s and leads by 1.4 seconds, followed by Piastri, Leclerc, the two Mercedes of Antonelli and Russell, and Hamilton in sixth.

On lap 8 Russell passes Antonelli.

Antonelli comes back and passes Russell.

Verstappen passes Hamilton but runs him wide.

Verstappen gives the place back.

On lap 10 Verstappen passes Hamilton for sixth again.

At lap 11 Norris leads followed by Piastri, Leclerc, Antonelli, Russell, Verstappen, Hamilton, Gasly, Colapinto and Hadjar in tenth.

On lap 14 Albon pits from 15th and changes his front wing, perhaps looking looking for performance improvements going into the race.

With the laps running out the order remains fixed.

On lap 17 Hadjar passes Colapinto for ninth.

On lap 18 Leclerc while closing on Piastri, runs wide in the braking zone.

Norris takes the win over Piastri and Leclerc.