Lando Norris stood by his aggressive approach during the opening lap battle with Max Verstappen at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, addressing criticism from fans and analysts alike. The McLaren driver almost snatched the lead from Verstappen after the race start, but a clash between the two rivals resulted in Norris being forced off the track and dropping to sixth place. Despite this setback, Norris helped secure a strong second place finish for McLaren, behind his teammate Oscar Piastri.
The race began with Verstappen getting a slightly better start, positioning himself ahead as they approached Turn 1. However, Verstappen locked up his brakes and veered wide, opening a gap for Norris to attempt a switchback maneuver. As Norris sought to capitalize on this opportunity for a better exit into the next corners, Verstappen moved to cut him off. This defensive move pressed Norris off the track, costing him valuable positions and significantly weakening his chances for a race victory.
Speaking after the race in parc fermé, Norris reflected on the friction with the reigning world champion, sharing his frustration about the inevitable criticism.
What can I say if I don’t go for it, people complain; if I go for it, people complain,
he explained.
So, you can’t win. But it’s really this with Max, you know, it’s, it’s crash or don’t pass. And, you know, unless you get it really right and you put him in the perfect position, then you can just about get there.
Norris admitted that he paid the price for a less-than-perfect execution during the battle but expressed satisfaction in finishing second. This result marked McLaren’s most dominant race performance of the season, with Oscar Piastri securing first place and Norris running a solid second, creating a strong 1-2 finish. Their closest competitor, George Russell, finished more than thirty seconds behind Norris, underlining the team’s superior pace and strategy on the day.
He praised the entire McLaren team for their efforts throughout the race weekend.
Yes, it’s never, never the best feeling [on Lap 1]. But the team have done an amazing job, so I can’t fault them at all,
Norris said.
Good pit stop, great pace, we were up the road, so it was a good feeling. But Oscar drove well, Max put up a good fight, as always, and I paid the price. But it’s the way it is.
After six rounds of the 2024 Formula 1 season, Norris remains in close contention behind Piastri, trailing by just sixteen points in the drivers’ championship standings. The Miami clash encapsulated the high-risk nature of battles with Verstappen, emphasizing the fine margin between success and costly mistakes during intense wheel-to-wheel racing. As the season unfolds, Norris and McLaren aim to build on this momentum, pushing for further strong results while navigating fierce competition from leading teams.
