McLaren claims Lando Norris can put behind ‘haunting’ 2021 Russian GP after maiden F1 victory in Miami

Norris’ race engineer Will Joseph reckoned that the maiden race victory was a long time coming, especially after the 2021 Russian GP. Joseph further joked that the race haunted him forever and also during his sleep. Hence, the 24-year-old can put the race behind now after scoring a much-awaited race win at the Miami GP.

It feels like a long time coming, especially after Russia. It's good. It haunts me every time, it haunts me in my sleep. I feel like we can put that behind us now. Will Joseph told Sky Sports F1.

Additionally, Joseph claimed that the entire Miami GP was ‘fantastic’ for the Papaya squad. The race engineer recalled that he was unsure of Norris’ race setup before the beginning of the race. However, as depicted from the results, the 24-year-old scored the race wind due to the setup. Hence, Will Joseph accepted that maybe the setup changes were the right ones.

What a fantastic race. We discussed after qualifying the decisions we made and we weren't so sure. I think I'll go back to him and say that maybe, they were the right ones. Will Joseph noted.

Andrea Stella claims Lando Norris on a ‘very strong journey’ in Formula 1

McLaren’s start to the 2024 season has been very strong, especially after Norris’ victory. Woking showcased a great pace improvement since the last season. Hence, speaking on the gap to the forefront, Andrea Stella reckoned that it was the team’s incapability and not the Briton. Hence, as soon as the 24-year-old was provided with a good challenger, he scored a race win.

We were totally convinced that the gap to the victory for Lando, It wasn't on Lando, it was on the team. We needed to provide him with winning material and as soon as we did it, he achieved it. Andrea Stella mentioned in the same article

Lando Norris came close to scoring a race win on multiple occasions. However, the 24-year-old always missed out on something or the other to score the race win. Regardless, after Miami GP victory Stella believed that it was a testament to how ready Norris was. Hence Stella highlighted that the Briton was on a very strong journey in Formula 1.

So that's for me a testament to how ready he was, and also if we look at what he delivered in podiums with a car that sometimes wasn't really a podium finisher on merit, for me Lando is on a very strong journey. Andrea Stella concluded.

Landon Norris will be on a high of his maiden race victory for a long time. McLaren has been looking promising in terms of competing with Red Bull. However, Milton Keynes will also bring multiple upgrades to the team at the Emilia-Romagna GP. Hence the 2024 season will be exciting to see how McLaren fares against Red Bull towards the end.