Norris takes dominant win in Miami sprint race

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Lando Norris won the Miami sprint in 2025 and McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri was victorious in the main grand prix

F1 Correspondent in MiamiPublished2 May 2026, 17:52 BSTUpdated 16 minutes agoLando Norris took McLaren's first victory of the season with a dominant drive from pole position in the Miami Grand Prix sprint race.

The world champion was untroubled as he converted pole into a lead at the first corner and controlled the race from there.

Norris led a McLaren one-two ahead of Oscar Piastri, who fell back from Norris as the race developed and was forced to hold off Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in the closing laps.

Kimi Antonelli won a scrap with Mercedes team-mate George Russell for fourth on track, but was penalised for exceeding track limits too many times and given a five-second penalty.

That dropped him behind Russell and Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who had earlier emerged on top after a tense battle with Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari.

"Nice to be back on the top step, even if it is the sprint," said Norris. "It was a good day for us, massive job to the team in bringing the upgrades. It feels like everyone is saying the same thing, but ours have really helped this weekend."

Published20 hours agoThe remarkable life of Zanardi, a 21st century hero who inspired millions

Published7 hours agoThe Briton's victory, following a major upgrade to the McLaren car for this fourth race weekend of the season, was quite the statement after a tricky start to the season for the world champions.

Norris managed the race carefully, ensuring he did not overwork his medium tyres in the opening laps, before extending the gap over Piastri to take control.

Piastri ran close to Norris in the opening laps as Leclerc initially held off a train including the Mercedes drivers, Hamilton and Verstappen.

But Leclerc moved clear of that fight and began to pressure Piastri, until the Australian reasserted his authority to edge away again in the final two laps.

Antonelli made his fifth consecutive poor start in all races this season and was challenged by Russell as they went around the first corner side by side, with the Briton on the inside.

Antonelli fought off that challenge, but Russell overtook him on lap seven at the first corner. A lap later, the Italian dived back into fourth place at Turn 11, at the end of the long back straight, and held the place to the end. His penalty reduced his lead over Russell in the championship to seven points.

The 19-year-old said: "I didn't even drive well, I made a lot of mistakes, I got track limits, which is something I need to avoid."

Russell said: "I'm two places forward but not much happier. The improvements from Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull are daunting."

Behind the Mercedes, Verstappen barged Hamilton aside at Turn Three on the first lap, the two touching wheels, before the seven-time champion reclaimed the place when the Red Bull's battery did not deploy out of the final corner of the opening lap.

The pair ran close together until Verstappen passed Hamilton on lap seven. But the move ended with both cars off the track, and Verstappen was advised to hand the place back to his 2021 title rival.

Two laps later, though, Verstappen was through for good, out-braking the Ferrari into the final corner.

Alpine's Pierre Gasly took the final point for eighth place, ahead of Red Bull's Isack Hadjar and Gasly's team-mate Franco Colapinto.

Gabriel Bortoleto finished 11th on the track but was later disqualified because the engine intake air pressure on his Audi exceeded the maximum permitted limit.

Qualifying for Sunday's main grand prix takes place at 21:00 BST.

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Before the sprint race, drivers and team members stood for a minute's silence to pay tribute to Alex Zanardi, the former F1 driver, IndyCar champion and Paralympic champion who died on Friday, aged 59

1-3 May with race at 21:00 BST on Sunday

Can you name every location to have hosted a US F1 race?

Andrew Benson Q&A: Send us your questions

Top storiesLive. Premier League: Gyokeres scores twice as Gunners move six points clear - reaction

Live. Snooker live text - Wu and Allen battle to reach final against Murphy

Arsenal power past Fulham to move six points clear

Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence, ignites a revolution

The rise and fall of London's most legendary gangsters

Critically-acclaimed romantic period drama starring Saoirse Ronan

Charming family favourite featuring the iconic Minions

Arsenal beat Fulham to move six points clear of Man City. VideoArsenal beat Fulham to move six points clear of Man City

The remarkable life of Zanardi, a 21st century hero who inspired millions

Are Ipswich better equipped for Premier League this time?

West Ham survival hopes take a blow after defeat to Brentford. VideoWest Ham survival hopes take a blow after defeat to Brentford

VAR, fine margins & 'superior' Lyon cost Arsenal Champions League final spot

'Embarrassment to snooker' - Wu and Allen play longest Crucible frame

Is Saudi Arabia's sports revolution unravelling?

Why was Mudryk given ban in secret and what happens now?

Hypnosis, Al Pacino and lies - how I tried to motivate my players

Sutton's predictions v Ella and Jake from Jamie Johnson FC

A golden period for snooker - but are UK clubs returning from doldrums?

How tragedy & 'a scary 5ft Asian' mum shaped rising UFC star Kavanagh

What now for Rahm, DeChambeau and LIV's biggest names?

'I lost myself' - Bright on retirement, abuse and the future

Lomu, Wilkinson, Pollock? Rugby's search for a crossover star

The 92mph England fast bowler ready to move on from difficult debut