Lando Norris’ dad sets his son new target after ‘amazing’ maiden victory

Lando Norris took his maiden Grand Prix victory on Sunday in Miami as his father Adam watched on from home in England – but as he celebrated his son's achievement, Norris Snr already had his eyes on the next target...

Norris joined the grid with McLaren in 2019 and took his first win on Sunday after more than a hundred races in the sport – though dad Adam says this victory is the culmination of so much more.

FACTS AND STATS: Norris becomes 21st British winner on 110th McLaren start

“[It’s] been a long time coming – I think everyone is saying it! No, it’s been amazing, you’ve seen 110 [Grands Prix] but I was working it out, it’s probably about 900 races I’ve been to over the last 16 years, it’s been a long time but it’s there, we got there," he told Sky Sports.

“It’s beautiful, the other dads – I’ve just had Lewis’s dad give me a text. We’ve been through a lot and it’s interesting knowing the other parents, how many hours you put in supporting them.

“I counted out 350 weekends away, and then all the other races on those weekends but it’s brilliant, I love it. I’m so happy for him.”

Adam Norris often attends races in support of his son but wasn’t in Miami, and nor was Norris’ mum. Instead, they watched on TV like so many fans as a dramatic race played out, with Norris having to come from behind to lead, before fending off Max Verstappen at a restart.

READ MORE: McLaren boss Brown says maiden Norris win ‘long overdue’ as he praises ‘perfect’ Miami performance

But with Norris building a comfortable lead in the closing laps, the moment of victory finally arrived after so many near misses. And after thanking his McLaren team, Norris was swift to thank his parents on the radio as the emotions kicked in, before dedicating his victory to his Grandma.

Norris made his debut in 2019 with McLaren and has committed his long-term future to the Woking team. His closest brush with victory prior to Miami was in Sochi in 2021, when he was comfortably leading the race late on when rain hit – only to see his chances dashed by a strategic blunder.

“It takes a long time, everyone thinks it’s an overnight thing but it’s a long journey,” continued Norris' dad, who has already set his son his next target in the sport.

READ MORE: ‘I finally delivered for them’ – Norris pays tribute to McLaren after 'about time' debut F1 win in Miami

“It’s just the pleasantness of getting there when at one point you think it is so far off, when you start out you think 'will I ever get to Formula 1?' When you get to Formula 1 you think 'will I ever win a race?' So it’s good – amazing.

“People don’t realise - there are a lot of bad days along with the good days and it’s about five years in you think 'this is it, it’s too much, too many weekends away from home, away from your family', but it makes it all worth it. But he’s got one more thing now hasn’t he – world champion!”