Lando Norris: « I realized one of my dreams »

Lando Norris etched his name on the Monaco Grand Prix winners list by claiming his first victory on the Rock. The McLaren driver completed an exemplary weekend, converting his Saturday pole position into a Sunday triumph after holding off Charles Leclerc during a tense race finish. The Briton won with a margin of 3.1 seconds over the Monegasque.

Starting from the front row on the grid, Norris managed his start perfectly despite a slight lock-up of the front wheels in the Sainte-Dévote corner. The 25-year-old driver quickly distanced himself from Charles Leclerc, building a gap that peaked at seven seconds before his first pit stop on the 20th lap. The Woking team orchestrated an impeccable strategy, with efficient stops that maintained their protégé’s advantage.

A race end under pressure

The final laps of the Monaco circuit tested Norris’s nerves. Max Verstappen, still on track after just one stop, theoretically held the lead of the race but deliberately maintained a measured pace in the hope that a safety car would shake things up. This tactic by the four-time world champion allowed Leclerc to close the gap on the British leader.

Norris’s frustration was then heard over the radio: “Max was slowing me down. He wasn’t even pushing,” he told his team, clearly upset by the situation. The McLaren driver then asked for his teammate’s help to counter Leclerc, questioning his engineers: “Where’s Oscar? I need him to put Charles under pressure.”

The outcome accelerated on the 77th lap when Verstappen finally pitted, freeing Norris who found himself in the lead with one lap to go. To perfect his performance, the Brit set the fastest lap in the race during this final loop.

A dream come true

The explosion of joy was heard as soon as the finish line was crossed. « Monaco, baby! Yeah baby! Woooooo! We did it. Well done. We won in Monaco, it’s a dream. Well done guys, incredible work. Fantastic weekend », Norris exclaimed in a burst of euphoria over the radio.

Facing Jenson Button during the post-race interview, today’s winner did not hide his satisfaction: “It’s fantastic. It’s a long and exhausting race, but very fun. We were able to push for a large part of the race. The last quarter, I was a bit nervous with Charles behind and Max in front, but we won in Monaco. It doesn’t matter how you win, I guess. A fantastic weekend, with the pole, with today,” the British driver said before adding: “This is what I dreamed of when I was a child, so I’ve achieved one of my dreams.”

Norris also reflected on the challenges he faced at the end of the race, particularly with Verstappen ahead of him: « The worst moment was at the end. I felt quite in control throughout the race, but Max was in front and slowing down a bit, and I knew Charles had opportunities. I tried to slow Max down so I could push when I needed to and relax when necessary. I am very happy, my team is very happy. Therefore, we’re going to have a wonderful evening! », he said, visibly satisfied with the outcome.

This victory marks McLaren’s grand return to the top step of the Monaco podium, sixteen years after Lewis Hamilton’s last win in 2008. It also allows Norris to come within just three points of his teammate Oscar Piastri in the drivers’ championship ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix next week.