Lando Norris secured his first Formula 1 win at the Miami Grand Prix, triumphing over Max Verstappen and ending Verstappen’s otherwise successful weekend that included a sprint race victory and pole position. Before Miami, Norris held the record for most podium finishes in F1 without a win. The exciting victory was well-received by the crowd, with cheers erupting as Norris crossed the finish line. Verstappen, who has been dominant in F1 in recent years, finished in second place behind Norris, with Charles Leclerc of Ferrari taking third place. American driver Logan Sargeant of Williams had a disappointing weekend after retiring from the race due to a crash blamed on Kevin Magnussen of Haas.
The Miami Grand Prix attracted a sold-out crowd of approximately 275,000 people, including a star-studded lineup of celebrities and athletes such as Ed Sheeran, Brad Pitt, Kendall Jenner, Tom Brady, and Camila Cabello. Former President Donald Trump also attended the race and received a tour of the McLaren garage from American CEO Zak Brown. Following the race, Trump’s spokeswoman credited the former president for McLaren’s win, stating, “The Trump-endorsed car won the race.” The event also saw the presence of French soccer star Zinedine Zidane, who attended to support the Alpine F1 team.
While the departure of Red Bull’s car designer Adrian Newey was a significant pre-race storyline, there was also buzz surrounding the future of the Miami Grand Prix. The event is one of three Formula 1 races held in the United States, with races in Austin, Texas, and Las Vegas in addition to Miami. Drivers and team bosses dismissed suggestions that adding the Las Vegas Grand Prix had diminished the appeal of the Miami race, with seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton highlighting the growing popularity of F1 in the U.S. Brown, McLaren’s American CEO, expressed optimism about the future of the sport in North America, citing the success of the Miami Grand Prix and the upcoming Brad Pitt Formula 1 movie.
Alpine driver Pierre Gasly noted the team’s increased motivation to perform well at the Miami Grand Prix due to the presence of its new American investors, including NFL star Patrick Mahomes. Tyler Epp, president of the Miami Grand Prix, emphasized the uniqueness of the event, representing the food, culture, entertainment, and diversity of the Miami community. Epp mentioned initial concerns about slow ticket sales but revealed that all grandstand and luxury tickets were sold out before the event, with some general admission tickets held back for latecomers. Both the Miami and Las Vegas races have several years remaining on their contracts with Formula 1, with opportunities for extension.
F1 events like the Miami Grand Prix and Las Vegas Grand Prix contribute significantly to local economies, with the debut Las Vegas Grand Prix generating nearly $1.5 billion in economic impact, as estimated by Nevada’s Clark County. The events also provide opportunities for service workers, with the Las Vegas Grand Prix making changes this year to attract a broader range of fans by offering more general admission and grandstand seating. The success of these races not only benefits Formula 1 but also has positive effects on the local communities and economies where they are held.
