Winner of the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, Lando Norris (McLaren), second-placed Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing), and third-placed Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) were the highlights of the race.
Q: Lando Norris, what is it like to become a Formula 1 Grand Prix winner?
Lando NORRIS: Wow. Finally, right? Man, what a race! It took a long time, but I’m thrilled for my whole team. Finally, I managed to deliver for them. It was a tough race, but being on top is amazing.
Q: Your race wasn’t the easiest, starting in fifth and dropping to sixth before fighting your way back up. You were lucky with the Safety Car, but your pace was dominant in the end. You must be proud.
LN: I am. The whole weekend was good. We had pace on Friday, just a few mistakes here and there. But today, we put it all together. The strategy worked perfectly and paid off. I want to thank McLaren and everyone involved. I also want to send a shoutout to my parents.
Q: Do you have a message for your team, McLaren, with whom you have been for a few years and have become a race winner?
LN: What can I say? I’m just proud. Many people doubted me along the way, but today we proved them wrong. I stuck with McLaren because I believed in them, and today showed why.
Q: This victory must be a memory you will cherish forever.
LN: Definitely. Thank you very much.
Q: Max, this is the first time you have been beaten on track in over 20 races. How do you feel?
Max VERSTAPPEN: Winning and losing are part of racing. Today was a bit tricky. The medium tires weren’t good, and the McLarens were very fast. Lando did an amazing job, and he deserved this victory. It won’t be his last.
Q: What was wrong with the balance of your car?
MV: I had understeer and oversteer, and the grip was low on all four wheels. We need to understand why.
P: The strong pace of McLaren makes you think they can challenge you more often?
MV: They brought updates that clearly worked. We have work to do on our side. This was not our strongest weekend, but we will analyze everything and come back stronger.
P: Charles, it was a race of ups and downs for you. Can you talk about the incident at the beginning with Checo?
Charles LECLERC: It was complicated. Checo was next to me, and I had a bad start with wheels spinning. Fortunately, we all made it through the first corner without damage. We did our best, but we lacked a bit of pace. Overall, we should be satisfied with third place.
P: Normally being a few seconds behind Max is a good result, but with Lando’s strong performance, it’s a surprise.
CL: I’m really happy for Lando. He deserves it. I knew McLaren would be strong, but they were even stronger than we expected. We need to bring updates quickly and catch up to them.
P: Lando, congratulations on your first win. How was it to be on the top step of the podium?
LN: It was amazing. The whole team was there, and the crowd was incredible. It’s hard to put into words, but I was just happy and smiling. It’s a moment I dreamed of, and it finally came true.
P: Does this victory feel like a weight off your shoulders?
LN: Yes, definitely. Getting that first win is always special. I had moments where I was close, but couldn’t turn them into wins. But I never lost faith. I knew my moment would come, and today proved that.
P: Max, can you talk about being beaten by Lando for the first time in a long time?
MV: Winning and losing are part of racing. Lando deserved this victory, and I am happy for him. He was incredibly fast, and it won’t be the last time he wins.
P: Were you surprised by Lando’s pace today?
MV: I didn’t see him at the beginning, but his pace with used tires was impressive. I knew I had to push hard to keep him behind when he put on new tires.
P: Lando, can you talk about the Safety Car restart and the pressure from Max?
LN: The restart was a bit tough for me, but I managed to defend well into Turn 1. Once I saw that Max wasn’t in clean air, I knew I had the advantage. At first, I pushed, but then I could relax a bit and control the gap.
P: Max, did you feel any damage from hitting the cone at Turn 15?
MV: I didn’t feel any difference in the car, so I’m not sure if there was any damage.
P: Lando, do you think McLaren could have won without the free pit stop, considering your good pace on the hard tires?
LN: It would have been difficult. I would have had to overtake several cars, including two Ferraris and a Red Bull. Oscar was doing a great job, so it would have been a challenge.
P: Lando, can you talk about the meme culture and the narrative of “Lando Without Wins”?
LN: People can say whatever they want. I have always had respect for my competitors, and I have always believed in myself. I am happy to prove those who doubted me wrong. It feels great.
P: Lando, how was it to have Donald Trump in the box before the race?
LN: I didn’t see him in the box, but he congratulated me after the race. It is an honor to have someone like him recognizing my achievement.
P: Lando, can you see this as the biggest moment of your career?
LN: Definitely. It’s a full cup moment for me. I’ve always enjoyed my successes, and this one is special. It’s the result of hard work and eliminating my weaknesses.
© 2024
Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo announced today that he is returning to his original club, Sporting Lisbon. After spending several seasons playing for big clubs in Europe, such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, Ronaldo has decided to go back to his roots and represent the club that launched him to stardom.
The news of Ronaldo’s return to Sporting Lisbon caught everyone by surprise. Many fans and experts believed that the 39-year-old player would end his career at a less prominent club, but he surprised everyone by choosing Sporting.
Ronaldo has always shown a deep love for the club that shaped him as a player. He started his career at Sporting and quickly caught the attention of major European clubs. Now, he will have the opportunity to end his career where it all began.
Ronaldo’s return to Sporting Lisbon will certainly bring a great deal of excitement to the fans. The player is considered one of the best in the history of soccer, and his presence on the field will surely elevate the club’s level.
Furthermore, Ronaldo will also be able to contribute to the development of young players at Sporting. His experience and skills will be a true treasure for the club and for the younger players who can learn from him.
There is no information yet on the duration of Ronaldo’s contract with Sporting Lisbon, but it is expected that he will stay at the club for at least one more season. The financial details of the agreement have also not been disclosed.
Regardless of the contractual details, one thing is certain: Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Sporting Lisbon is great news for the club and Portuguese football as a whole. Fans are eager to see the star in action again and reminisce about the moments of glory he provided for the club in the past.
