Lando Norris hoped Max Verstappen becoming a father would slow him down

Lando Norris joked his hopes that Max Verstappen’s newly minted fatherhood would slow the Miami Grand Prix polesitter down had been dashed, noting his rival “did a Max lap”.

Verstappen clinched pole over Norris by 0.065s, having managed to improve in the first sector despite a small wobble in the opening corner.

Although Norris hit back in the second sector to sit just a couple of thousandths of a second behind Verstappen at that point, a miscue on the kerbs at Turn 17 ensured that Verstappen clinched his third pole of the season.

Norris was nonetheless upbeat about his overall performance in Miami, noting that he’d felt more comfortable in the car at the Floridian circuit – although conceded he didn’t necessarily have an answer for Verstappen’s performance.

“Congrats to Max, especially being a dad now. I was hoping it would slow him down!” Norris joked.

“I’m happy with today, happy with the progress I’ve made with the car. Max did a Max lap once again and I can’t fault him. I’m happy and excited for tomorrow.

Lando Norris, McLaren

Photo by: James Sutton / Motorsport Images

“It’s all should’ve, could’ve, would’ve stuff [without the Turn 17 mistake]. I didn’t deliver but the pace was there. The car has been feeling good, better than I have done the last few weekends.”

Norris stated that he was ready to put Verstappen under pressure into the first corner, hoping to shake off the slight misstep in qualifying to overcome the reigning world champion.

He added that, given his sprint race pace on the intermediate tyre, he was not particularly minded if Miami’s race ended up wet. With help from the safety car, Norris was able to secure victory in Saturday’s sprint race.

“I’ve still not put it together but it is what it is. I’m ready to see what we can do into Turn 1 tomorrow. I don’t mind if it’s dry or wet but Miami has been surprising with the weather so I’m ready for both.”