Martin Brundle has confirmed that Lando Norris' first Formula 1 win was “more accurate” than McLaren being the sole beneficiary of a safety car intervention during the Miami Grand Prix.
The former Formula 1 driver and current commentator has emphasized the impressive pace shown following the Woking-based team's upgrade package. Sky Sports column.
Norris spent the early part of the race in sixth place, but showed off his McLaren form once Sergio Perez pitted, taking advantage of a long run to lead the race when a collision between Kevin Magnussen and Logan Sargeant brought out the safety car.
“It's easy to say the safety car on lap 28 was lucky for them, but it's more accurate than that,” Brundle wrote. Sky Sports website.
“One last time [Perez]Norris was enjoying tremendous speed in his updated McLaren, as was his teammate Oscar Piastri in the sister car containing some new parts, who was finishing second and maintaining [Max] “Verstappen is in sight and both Ferraris are at the back at the start.”
“McLaren can run longer and faster”
Pointing to McLaren's upgrade and Piastri's early pace as major factors in Max Verstappen's blunder at Turn 14/15, the 64-year-old stressed that the Dutchman had to “push hard” because of the form shown by Norris' team. -Companion.
“he [Max Verstappen] He made a rare mistake… juggled the barrier pointing to the top, then bounced through the barriers and the escape route. “This somewhat damaged his car and caused a virtual safety car to rescue the wayward mark,” Brundle wrote.
The British commentator pointed out that although Norris was lucky with the safety car, the speed and longevity of the McLaren tires gave the 24-year-old the opportunity to be in this position in the first place.
“By creating a little more luck, McLaren was able to run longer and faster, which ultimately allowed him to enter the pits when the safety car was deployed,” he explained.
Despite misjudging how to handle the safety car restart, Norris stayed ahead of Verstappen and was able to grab the lead over the damaged Red Bull, eventually taking an easy win, claiming his first Formula 1 victory.
“[Norris] Then he settled into a very confident drive to win by 7.6 seconds at the end of lap 57,” he concluded of the race winner’s drive.
He added: “The team feels they have enough speed to win without the safety car, but we will never know that of course.”
