Is Lando Norris’s title defence a moonshot? Well, it seems less distant a prospect after his victory in the sprint race ahead of Sunday’s storm-threatened Miami Grand Prix.
And the commander who led the last lunar flyby was here to hand the British driver his bauble – no more than a little plaque, actually – that buttressed the early-season notion that it might be within range.
For this is Miami folks, full of extravagance, and no less than Reid Weisman, who led Artemis II’s outer-space adventure was here to perform the ceremonials.
As for Norris, without a win this season and 47 points off leader Kimi Antonelli arriving into the 19-lap dash, was in command throughout a boiling 32C afternoon at the Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins.
Norris started on pole, a neat and tidy lap having given him prime position, before making a brisk getaway. Behind him, Antonelli was slow off the line, which is in danger of becoming a nagging habit. Mercedes have not totally mastered starts under this year’s complex regulations, and team principal Toto Wolff excused his driver, saying it was a mistake ‘our end’.
The Italian fell straight from second to fourth as Oscar Piastri moved up behind Norris – putting the two McLarens in total command of the afternoon, and one they never looked likely to fritter away.
Lando Norris’s title defence came alive by winning the sprint race at the Miami Grand Prix
The world champion controlled the 19-lap dash at Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Dolphins
McLaren showed signs of life at last with Oscar Piastri securing a one-two finish for the team
Piastri finished second, 3.7sec back from Norris, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc third, a further 2.3sec adrift.
And in a further boost to Norris, Antonelli was handed a five-second penalty for repeatedly exceeding track limits that dropped him to sixth (in danger, Kimi, of too many errors for a serious championship tilt for all your sensational pace!). George Russell was, therefore, classified fourth for Mercedes.
Max Verstappen, who clashed wheels and sparred with Lewis Hamilton, finished fifth, two places ahead of the seven-time world champion, who cut a dejected figure afterwards as he trudged around the pits.
The result showed that McLaren, with their one-two, have found a productive way forward during the enforced break from racing due to war in the Middle East excised the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix.
The notion of Mercedes running away with all the prizes looks less certain – though further evidence is required before that reservation can be stated with anything approaching conviction.
The Silver Arrows, it must be underlined, are bringing their major upgrade in Montreal three weeks down the line, and then we will know more about the shape of the title fight.
The enforced break has lent this weekend an ersatz start-of-season air. Ferrari, for example, have brought 11 upgrades to Florida, while McLaren have revamped their car just as significantly since the circus left Japan five weeks ago.
Kimi Antonelli was slow off the line and dropped to sixth place after picking up a penalty
Norris’s win meant he narrowed his deficit to 42 points heading into Sunday’s main event, with championship-favourite Russell seven short.
‘Nice to be back on the top step!’ smiled Norris. ‘A good day for us.
‘It was hot out there and sweaty. I was pushing, trying to find that balance of pushing and staying relaxed to not make mistakes.
‘A good start to the weekend but now I’ve got to do it all over again.
‘Hopefully, we have a bit more to come, but I’m sure the others will too. We will keep our heads down and keep pushing.’
