Lando Norris remains determined and optimistic about his Formula One world title ambitions after securing third on the grid for the sprint race at the Miami Grand Prix. The McLaren driver, who began the season on a high with victory in Australia, is eager to return to winning ways and reaffirm his position as a serious championship contender.
Despite trailing teammate Oscar Piastri by ten points in the standings, Norris expressed a new level of confidence in his own abilities. He admitted that although the results haven’t always reflected his performance, he believes he is currently in the best shape of his career. “I’m more confident than I ever have been,” he said. “I’ve never felt so sure about my speed, my decision-making, and what I can accomplish each weekend.”
Piastri, who has won three of the opening five races, starts Saturday’s sprint from second place, just four-hundredths of a second behind the surprise pole-sitter, Kimi Antonelli. The young Mercedes driver delivered an extraordinary performance to secure pole on his debut sprint race, making history as the youngest driver to do so.
Norris’s third-place starting position came after a strong showing in qualifying, where he ended just a tenth behind Antonelli. While the Brit has shown flashes of brilliance this season, he acknowledged that adapting to the 2025 McLaren has been a challenge, particularly in qualifying sessions. His crash in Q3 at the previous race in Saudi Arabia was a notable setback, but he remains unfazed by the increasing pressure.
He emphasized that his passion lies in racing itself, not the surrounding distractions. “I got into racing because I like to drive,” he said. “The rest of it the media, the attention is just noise to me. In a perfect world, I’d turn up, race, and go home.” His focus is squarely on performing at his best and working with his team to improve race by race.
Max Verstappen, returning to the paddock with the announcement of the birth of his daughter Lily, qualified fourth. George Russell took fifth for Mercedes, followed by Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in sixth and seventh respectively for Ferrari.
The Miami Grand Prix continues to establish itself as a major fixture in the F1 calendar, with organizers confirming a contract extension to host the race through 2041. The event, held around the Hard Rock Stadium, has become a highlight of the season both for fans and drivers, combining racing with a vibrant atmosphere.
Further down the grid, Alex Albon put in a strong performance to qualify eighth for Williams. Isack Hadjar impressed by securing ninth for Racing Bulls, and Fernando Alonso completed the top ten for Aston Martin.
Positions 11 to 20 saw a mix of veteran drivers and rookies. Nico Hülkenberg was 11th for Sauber, ahead of Esteban Ocon for Haas and Pierre Gasly for Alpine. Liam Lawson slotted into 14th for Racing Bulls, just ahead of Carlos Sainz in 15th for Williams. Lance Stroll and Jack Doohan took 16th and 17th, while Yuki Tsunoda’s difficult session saw him finish 18th for Red Bull. Gabriel Bortoleto and Ollie Bearman rounded out the grid in 19th and 20th respectively.
As the championship battle heats up, all eyes will be on Norris to see if his renewed self-belief can translate into another strong result in Saturday’s sprint and Sunday’s main race.
